Page 24: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2016)

MARITIME CLUSTERS

ENMC

The European Network of National Maritime Clusters

FRANCIS VALLAT ne may have all kinds of mari- time clusters, depending on the criteria which have been origi- 0nally selected to create such or such cluster. Some gather maritime pro- fessionals who belong to the same geo- graphical areas, some other are based on the type of activity (for instance a cluster of maritime entities active in maritime research & innovation; or in shipbuild- ing/ship repairs/equipment; or in any other ? eld where maritime professionals want to coordinate and harmonize some of their actions, work, lobbying etc…).

But a National maritime cluster – in our view at least – should gather most of the maritime activities of its coun- try, and act at the service of the national maritime economy, especially through pushing initiatives which are transversal (ie gathering various different maritime activities) and are meant to reinforce the strength of the corresponding maritime

Astican is a ship repairing and conver- community at large.

sion yard plus a heavy offshore project management company who belongs

What is the ENMC?

to a billion dollar shipping Group. See

Today the ENMC gathers the national more on Astican starting on page.

maritime clusters of Belgian, Bulgaria,

Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, (Image Courtesy ASTICAN)

Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, public). Differences also in maturity: recently discussed, with Commissioner time economy).

Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portu- some are very young, just emerging, Karmenu Vella about the place of the It is important to understand that if the gal, Spain, Sweden, UK, whereas Malta while some others are quite experienced. maritime economy in the Juncker Plan*, ENMC lobbies, it is not a professional (headed by former Commmissioner Joe

Borg) will of? cially join in October. This being said the ENMC already acts or about the priorities which should be lobbyist! This is more than just a “nu- suf? ciently ef? ciently to have identi? ed retained on a mid-term basis in the work- ance,” and is not contradictory at all.

Knowing that a few of them have a dif- very important common ? ghts which it is ing-plan of DGMare, and also about the Because the ENMC lobbies at the ser- ferent name, like for instance the Feder- leading with the support of all its mem- main specs of the European data-base vice of the European maritime general azione del Mare in Italy or the Forum bers. For instance, after a few years of that we need. We also insisted on the ne- interest, not for itself. And it is not paid

Oceano in Portugal… struggle we obtained together, from the cessity, for maritime EU, to act at world (neither directly nor indirectly) or its lob-

It will take a few years (maybe ? ve or

Commission, the human and ? nancial level, to push towards universal rules, bying action. An action which we prefer more) to really unify the national mari- means necessary to identify and study and as a consequence to reinforce the qualify as a permanent, ? rm, open and time clusters of the ENMC into a unique what really represents the maritime Eu- in? uence, role, weight and means of the constructive dialogue with concerned harmonized and homogeneous organiza- ropean economy, what are its strengths, International Maritime Organization. In authorities. And it is worth mentioning tion. Indeed the existing national clusters its weaknesses(this in order to boost the our view Europe should “act regional” that in most of “our” countries the bulk – from Eastern Europe to Northern and/ blue economy ie have the basis for any only in extreme cases (ie when IMO is of national cluster funding is coming or Southern Europe are sometimes very powerful concrete combined transna- too slow, or urgent needs appear), and only or mainly from the annual contri- different the ones from the others: differ- tional policies). should always bear in mind EU’s duty butions of the members (although some ences in history, culture, or even nature to secure together sustainable maritime may accept non-binding subsidies), but (some are totally private, others are in-

What is ENMC Currently Doing? development and fair competition avery- not from the sale of their services.

directly State-controlled, or half private-

It is also in that spirit that the ENMC where (ie not jeopardize European mari- 24 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • AUGUST 2016

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