SMARTCOMP

In recent years, maritime clusters in the Central Baltic region have faced tightened competition, new requirements with respect to environmental protection, structural changes and a weakened competitive edge. Maritime clusters play an important role in various sectors of the economy and thus its profitability exerts a wide influence on other sectors of the economy as well. Although maritime clusters in the Central Baltic region are functional, they are also fragmented and work mainly only on a national level.

The project SmartComp supported a smart and environmentally sustainable development of the maritime clusters in the Central Baltic region. A better understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by the clusters was created, and scenarios about the development of the Baltic Sea maritime clusters were presented. The overviews produced by the project created a basis for further research, training and consultation, as well as for branding and policy development. Companies were able to benefit from the networking part of the project and contributed to the development of the maritime clusters.

The project provided a comprehensive understanding of the current and future state of the Central Baltic maritime cluster, recognising the problematic areas hindering the cluster’s growth and globalisation. In addition, policy recommendations were drafted addressing both the EU level, the national levels as well as other main actors of the maritime clusters of the region. In order to facilitate the co-operation between the public, private and research sectors an extensive database was cretated including contact details of the main organisations and companies active in the maritime sphere of the Central Baltic region. The project results were summarized in a series of research reports and other publications.

Increased knowledge about the potential of maritime clusters

SMARTCOMP enhanced the knowledge about the maritime clusters in the Central Baltic region, and promoted the further development and cross border co-operation in the maritime sector.

The results of SMARTCOM are published in a series of reports. The final report includes elaborated views on the potential of maritime clusters, marketing of the maritime expertise of the region, a global overview as well as policy recommendations. The conclusions of the project are supported by three research reports.

Final Report ENG
Maritime cluster analysis on the Central Baltic region ENG
Maritime companies and their business networks ENG
Maritime sector developments in the global markets ENG

Policy discussions and conclusions about key challenges in the maritime sector

SMARTCOMP arranged two roundtable events where the main stakeholders of the project i.e. representatives of the maritime cluster discussed selected policy issues.

The first roundtable discussion (February 2012) focused on the tightened environmental regulations, global competition, rising cost levels and lack of qualified workforce whereas the second one (May 2013) elaborated on the possibilities and challenges related to co-operation with Russia.

Policy roundtables ENG

Maritime triple helix database

The project produced a database that facilitates networking between the maritime clusters. It also provide entries to further information about maritime issues in the Central Baltic region.

The database acts as a concrete tool to search for possible business partners, cooperation networks, information, publications or projects and much more, all related to the Central Baltic maritime sector. The database includes contact information of maritime cluster companies, public and third sector actors, universities and research institutions.

thdb.cb-smartcomp.eu/