The France-Quebec Institute for Scientific Cooperation in Support of the Maritime Sector (IFQM) brings together and leads a network of key players in research, innovation and higher education and participates in the setting up of large-scale projects in the maritime sector with a view to promoting transatlantic scientific cooperation. After 4 years of existence, the IFQM organised the second edition of its conference in Nantes. In this context, SML was asked to lead 6 thematic workshops bringing together various actors from the maritime world in order to initiate a reflection on the evolution of the Institute’s scientific strategy.