Posted: January 16th, 2024
Comparing National Maritime Cluster Strategies to Enhance Competitiveness
Comparing National Maritime Cluster Strategies to Enhance Competitiveness
National maritime clusters are groups of companies and organizations in the maritime sector that are located in close proximity and collaborate to achieve common goals. Maritime clusters can help the marine industry to balance the demands of business and environmental sustainability, as well as to foster innovation, skills development, and global competitiveness. In this blog post, we will compare the strategies of different national maritime clusters around the world and highlight their strengths and challenges.
European Maritime Clusters
Many European countries have well-established maritime clusters that are supported by national policies and strategies. For example, the UK Government’s Maritime 2050 vision aims to maintain and enhance the attractiveness of the UK’s regional maritime offer and its importance to the economy at both a regional and national level. The UK has several regional maritime clusters, such as the National Maritime cluster in London and the South East of England, which works with government, industry, academia, and NGOs to champion, promote, and grow the sector. The UK maritime clusters focus on creating evidence-based strategies, promoting regional excellence, driving clean growth, increasing collaboration and investment in R&D, increasing skills and careers opportunities, building supply chain capabilities, and creating world-leading centres of excellence .
Other European countries with strong maritime clusters include Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. These clusters have similar objectives and activities as the UK clusters, but they also have some distinctive features. For example, Norway’s maritime cluster is known for its high level of innovation and technology development, especially in offshore energy and green shipping. Denmark’s maritime cluster is recognized for its global leadership in shipping services and maritime equipment. Germany’s maritime cluster is renowned for its shipbuilding industry and its research excellence in marine engineering. France’s maritime cluster is notable for its naval defence industry and its marine renewable energy sector. The Netherlands’ maritime cluster is distinguished for its port infrastructure and logistics services, as well as its maritime education and training.
Asian Maritime Clusters
Asia is home to some of the most dynamic and fast-growing maritime clusters in the world. Singapore is widely regarded as one of the best examples of a successful maritime cluster, as it has developed into a global hub for shipping, trade, finance, and technology. Singapore’s maritime cluster benefits from a strong partnership between the government, industry, and research community, which enables it to pursue a coherent and coordinated strategy for enhancing its competitiveness and sustainability. Singapore’s maritime cluster also leverages its strategic location, its diverse talent pool, its pro-business environment, and its innovation ecosystem to attract investment and talent from around the world.
Other Asian countries with emerging or established maritime clusters include China, Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines. These clusters vary in their structure, scope, and goals depending on their national contexts and priorities. For example, China’s maritime cluster is driven by its massive shipbuilding industry and its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. Japan’s maritime cluster is based on its long history of shipbuilding excellence and its strong focus on quality and safety. South Korea’s maritime cluster is dominated by its world-leading shipbuilding industry and its advanced technology development. India’s maritime cluster is centered on its strategic ports and its growing coastal shipping industry. Malaysia’s maritime cluster is oriented towards enhancing its regional connectivity and developing its offshore oil and gas sector. Indonesia’s maritime cluster is aimed at improving its maritime infrastructure and governance to support its archipelagic economy. Vietnam’s maritime cluster is focused on expanding its port capacity and diversifying its shipbuilding industry. Thailand’s maritime cluster is geared towards promoting its marine tourism industry and developing its marine biotechnology sector. The Philippines’ maritime cluster is based on its large pool of seafarers and its potential for offshore energy exploration.
African Maritime Clusters
Africa has a vast coastline and a rich marine biodiversity that offer immense opportunities for economic development. However, many African countries face challenges in developing their maritime sectors due to lack of infrastructure, governance, skills, finance, technology, and security. To overcome these challenges, some African countries have initiated or joined regional or national maritime clusters to enhance their cooperation and coordination. For example, the Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster in South Africa aims to create a platform for collaboration among stakeholders in the Eastern Cape region to promote economic growth, skills development, innovation, social inclusion, environmental protection, and regional integration. The cluster provides capacity-building training programs
and workshops, strategic intervention,
lobbying
and advocacy,
matchmaking events,
conference
and symposium participation,
support
and implementation of national maritime programs
and initiatives,
information dissemination,
knowledge
and experience sharing,
representation at local, regional and national events.
Other African countries with existing or potential maritime clusters include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Morocco, Egypt, and Mauritius. These clusters have different objectives and activities depending on their national contexts and priorities. For example, Nigeria’s maritime cluster is focused on developing its port infrastructure and security, as well as its oil and gas industry. Ghana’s maritime cluster is aimed at enhancing its port efficiency and competitiveness, as well as its fisheries and aquaculture sector. Kenya’s maritime cluster is oriented towards improving its port performance and connectivity, as well as its blue economy sector. Tanzania’s maritime cluster is geared towards strengthening its port management and governance, as well as its coastal tourism industry. Mozambique’s maritime cluster is based on its natural gas reserves and its marine conservation efforts. Angola’s maritime cluster is driven by its offshore oil and gas industry and its maritime transport services. Namibia’s maritime cluster is centered on its fishing industry and its marine diamond mining sector. Morocco’s maritime cluster is distinguished by its port development and logistics services, as well as its renewable energy sector. Egypt’s maritime cluster is anchored by its Suez Canal and its maritime trade facilitation. Mauritius’ maritime cluster is notable for its ocean economy strategy and its marine research and innovation.
Conclusion
National maritime clusters are important drivers of economic growth, social development, environmental sustainability, and global competitiveness in the marine industry. However, different countries have different strategies and approaches to developing their maritime clusters depending on their national contexts and priorities. By comparing the strategies of different national maritime clusters around the world, we can learn from their best practices and challenges and identify areas for improvement and collaboration.
Works Cited
[1] Maritime UK. “Regional Cluster Development Programme.” https://www.maritimeuk.org/priorities/regional-growth/cluster-development/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[2] National Maritime. “Clusters.” https://www.nmdg.co.uk/business-enterprise/clusters/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[3] Department for Transport. “Maritime 2050: Navigating the Future.” https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/872664/maritime-2050-strategy.pdf. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[4] Norwegian Maritime Authority. “Norwegian Maritime Cluster.” https://www.sdir.no/en/shipping/norwegian-maritime-cluster/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[5] Danish Shipping. “The Danish Maritime Cluster.” https://www.danishshipping.dk/en/policy/the-danish-maritime-cluster/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[6] German Maritime Centre. “The German Maritime Cluster.” https://www.dmz-maritim.de/en/the-german-maritime-cluster/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[7] France Clusters. “French Maritime Cluster.” https://franceclusters.fr/en/clusters/french-maritime-cluster/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[8] Netherlands Maritime Technology. “The Dutch Maritime Cluster.” https://maritimetechnology.nl/en/the-dutch-maritime-cluster/. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[9] World Ocean Council. “Maritime Clusters: A Global Perspective on Regional Collaboration for Ocean Sustainable Development.” https://www.oceancouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/WOC-Maritime-Clusters-White-Paper.pdf. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[10] Maritime Port Authority of Singapore. “Singapore Maritime Cluster Fund.” https://www.mpa.gov.sg/web/portal/home/maritime-companies/setting-up-in-singapore/singapore-maritime-cluster-fund-smcf-. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[11] China Daily. “China’s Maritime Industry on Course for Further Growth.” http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201912/10/WS5defa0c9a310cf3e3557d6f2.html. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[12] Japan Ship Technology Research Association. “Japan’s Shipbuilding Industry.” http://www.jstra.jp/english/index.html#industry01. Accessed 16 Jan. 2024.
[13] Korea Shipbuilders’ Association. “Korea’s Shipbuilding Industry.” http://www.koshipa.or.kr/en/koshipa/koshipa01.jsp?menuId=01010100&menuNm=KOSHIPA%20%3E%20About%20KOSHIPA%20%3E%20Overview&menuDepth=1&menuDepth