– The new strategy will see an increased commercial focus. We want the cluster to be a tool both for the launching of new energy-efficient and clean maritime solutions and for the scaling-up of these solutions in markets around the world, Hege Økland, CEO NCE Maritime CleanTech says.

The board of NCE Maritime CleanTech has initiated a process to develop a new strategy for the cluster towards 2024. The overall vision remains the same: becoming a world-leading cluster for clean maritime solutions.

– We are currently working on the development of a new strategy to guide us into the future. We are well positioned to take an even more important role in the decarbonization of the maritime industry. The cluster has grown significantly over the last couple of years both in regards of innovation projects and cluster partners. Now we want to strenghten our position even further, also internationally, says CEO in NCE Maritime CleanTech, Hege Økland.

Increased activity, more cluster partners and larger projects, both domestic and together on European level, have also led to the cluster administration doubling in size in just one year.

Reaching new goals

Two of NCE Maritime CleanTech´s main goals have been to commercialize and scale up the the partners’ solutions and to demonstrate new energy systems.

– Over the last couple of years, we have accomplished many of our current strategic goals. We have started numerous innovative projects with many first-of-a-kind applications for hydrogen, ammonia and batteries in the maritime sector. Many of them resulting in pilots. Several of these projects are co-funded by the EU and has partners from all across Europe, Hege Økland says.

Stepping into the future, the cluster still wants to develop, qualify and pilot new technologies to reduce emissions from the maritime sector. But now, more than ever, the focus on establishing commercially attractive business models for the new green maritime solutions is going to be crucial.

The cluster administration has doubled in size over the last year. Pictured is part of the administration: Silje Sivertsen, Håvard Tvedte, Hege Økland, Marius Knutsen, Marie Engelsen Launes, Geir Odland og Marte Jensen. Missing: Tore Boge, Veronica Andersen Haugan and Linda Bach.

– The new strategy will see an increased commercial focus. We want the cluster to be a tool both for the launching of new energy-efficient and clean maritime solutions and for the scaling-up of these solutions in markets around the world, Hege Økland says.

The cluster will continue to strengthen its work to scale up customer demand for low carbon solutions by working both on the regulatory side and securing incentives for green investment.

Stronger together

NCE Maritime CleanTech is a part of Innovation Norway’s cluster program. In 2011, Maritime CleanTech gained status as an Arena Cluster. In 2014, the cluster were promoted to Norwegian Center of Expertise (NCE). Now, NCE Maritime CleanTech is ready for the next step as a mature cluster taking an even more active role in both restructuring and enhancing green growth in the Norwegian maritime industry.

The next strategy period is 2021 – 2023.

– Since 2014, we have had great success through collaboration with our cluster partners. This means that we are now able to stand alone and rely more on ourselves, together with our member companies. This is what our new status as a Mature Cluster implies, Hege Økland says.