Maritime CleanTech and M.A.R.E. FVG have signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen cooperation on innovation, industrial development and maritime decarbonisation. The agreement was formalised during SMM Hamburg, one of the world's leading trade fairs for the maritime industry.
The agreement establishes a framework for closer collaboration between the two organisations and their members. It aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, joint project development, partner matchmaking and international business opportunities, while strengthening ties between two regions with strong maritime industries and ambitious decarbonisation goals.
M.A.R.E. FVG represents the maritime technology cluster of Friuli Venezia Giulia in north-eastern Italy, home to a globally recognised maritime industry that includes shipbuilding, marine technology and advanced manufacturing. Maritime CleanTech brings together more than 150 partners across the maritime value chain and works to accelerate the development and deployment of clean maritime solutions.
Building on the SeaThrive partnership
The agreement builds on an existing collaboration through the EU-funded SeaThrive project, where Maritime CleanTech and M.A.R.E. FVG work alongside maritime clusters, research organisations and industry stakeholders from across Europe to support the transition towards alternative fuels and low-emission shipping.
Through the project, the two organisations have identified significant opportunities for broader collaboration extending beyond a single initiative. The Letter of Intent reflects a shared ambition to strengthen European cooperation and accelerate the development, validation and market uptake of new maritime technologies.
"The maritime transition is creating new opportunities for cooperation across Europe. Through EU collaborations, we have seen how our partnerships can connect companies, researchers and public stakeholders around common challenges. This agreement gives us a platform to deepen that collaboration and create value for our partners," said Håvard Tvedte, Head of Market Development and External Relations at Maritime CleanTech.
"The challenges facing the maritime technologies domain are increasingly complex and require integrated solutions that leverage the best expertise. By strengthening our cooperation with Maritime CleanTech, we can now connect complementary expertise, foster new partnerships and contribute to a more sustainable and competitive European maritime sector," said Daniele Filippone, General Manager at M.A.R.E. FVG.
A platform for future collaboration
The partnership will provide a platform for joint activities in areas such as alternative fuels, maritime electrification, energy systems integration, digitalisation and industrial decarbonisation. It will also support participation in European innovation programmes and strengthen links between industry, research and public authorities.
As Europe seeks to reduce emissions from shipping while maintaining industrial competitiveness, cross-border cooperation is becoming increasingly important. By connecting complementary maritime ecosystems, Maritime CleanTech and M.A.R.E. FVG aim to help accelerate the transition towards a cleaner and more competitive maritime sector.
