Maritime clusters urged to turn global cooperation into measurable action

Maritime clusters must turn international cooperation into practical projects that unlock investment, support innovation and strengthen the industry’s workforce, speakers told the International Association of Maritime Clusters’ (IAMC) inaugural online conference.

The Building Bridges conference, held on 2 November under the theme How Diverse Maritime Clusters Can Work Together, attracted more than 200 delegate registrations. Discussions examined how clusters can tackle shared challenges while protecting commercial interests, and why regional maritime communities need a stronger international voice.

Opening the conference, IAMC President Peter Shaerf highlighted the pressures created by shifting trade flows, geopolitical uncertainty, decarbonisation and widening skills gaps. “Everything is felt locally. But it can’t necessarily be solved locally,” he said.

Speakers stressed that competition for contracts and investment should not prevent clusters from sharing knowledge, training approaches, market intelligence and experience of new technologies. Protecting commercially sensitive information was essential to building the trust needed for that cooperation.

This story was originally published by Hellenic Shipping News. Read the full story at Hellenic Shipping News →