Indeed, many of the scientific and technological advances in the pipeline are expected to have a transformational impact. Particularly striking are the potential innovation benefits to be reaped from combining different ocean technologies, constructing multi-purpose ocean platforms, co-locating ocean-based activities from different sectors, and seeking synergies from collaboration among different ocean industries. To this end, initiatives are proposed to create international forums that would bring together, for example, maritime clusters, or innovation laboratories and centres of ocean excellence, to foster multi-sectoral and multi-functional innovation in the ocean domain.