Project description
SmartComp project aimed to support smart, environmentally sustainable development, growth, competition and cooperation between maritime clusters, cities and universities in the Central Baltic region, i.e. in Estonia, Finland and Latvia. The target was to unite the maritime clusters of the region, improve the competitiveness and to create sustainable growth possibilities through triple helix cooperation.
During the project the current situation of the maritime cluster and its future in the Central Baltic region was analysed, both on sectoral and corporate level. An understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by the cluster was created. Future scenarios about the development of the Baltic Sea maritime cluster were drawn based on this research. The overview created a basis for other working methods in the project: training and consultation, branding and policy development.
Activities
- Analysis on the current situation of the maritime cluster and its future in the Central Baltic region
- An understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by the cluster
- Future scenarios about the development of the Baltic Sea maritime cluster
- Two international and two national consultation days for companies
- Two policy development roundtables
Results
- Research reports that analyse the current situation and future of the maritime clusters in the Central Baltic region and provide an understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by the clusters.
- Brand strategy for the Central Baltic maritime clusters
- Policy recommendations for supporting maritime clusters of the region
- SmartComp triple helix database
Lessons learned:
Central Baltic region maritime clusters have common opportunities (e.g. demand for new technologies and development of Russia’s maritime sector) and common challenges (e.g. increasingly fierce global competition and rising cost levels). There is potential for increased inter-cluster cooperation, but the cooperation potential is viewed differently from the perspective of each country. Internationally operating companies actively cooperate with foreign partners and have rather wide international networks around the world. However, also small companies should more actively engage in international markets and business networks. Companies should operate abroad not only as suppliers but as involved actors, their presence near customers is extremely important. Other maritime clusters for example in Asia provide opportunities for benchmarking.
Funding
Central Baltic INTERREG IV A Programme 2007-2013
Project information
Smart and sustainable development for the maritime clusters in the Central Baltic region.