GCE Blue Maritime Cluster joins ZEWT
GCE Blue Maritime Cluster has joined the Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT). This membership opens opportunities to influence the maritime industry's future in Europe actively. The first step in this direction was working towards securing the role of "Pillar Leader Digital Green." With the approval of GCE Blue Maritime Cluster as a partner at the partnership meeting on November 13, it is also official that our EU Advisor, Jan Børre Rydningen, will assume this role.
Jan Børre Rydingen, Pillar Leader Digital Green and Maria Boile, Coordinator Waterborne Technology Platform
"Working at the intersection of green and digital transformation will be very exciting," Rydingen says. "In this role, I will, of course, have a European perspective, but there is no doubt that Norway is quite advanced in digital innovation. At the same time, it’s clear that Norwegian players have much to learn from other European actors, and together, we can build a competitive and sustainable maritime industry in Europe."
This role is part of the partnership’s IRAG Technology Platform (Industrial Research Advisory Group). Digital Green is one of six pillars covering the partnership's three focus areas: Ship & Shipping, Port and Logistics, and Blue Growth. The remaining five pillars include alternative fuels, electrification, energy efficiency, design and retrofit, and ports.
Preparations for the 2026/2027 calls are starting now, and interested individuals are encouraged to submit their suggestions. The calls for 2025 are almost finalized, yet still awaiting official approval. They should be published before Easter, with applications due in September. The topics have already been determined: energy conversion, battery systems, energy management, retrofitting, shore power, and wind-assisted propulsion.
"The application deadline seems distant, but starting early is crucial. Many decisions are often made by the time calls are published. If any topics resonate with you, don’t hesitate to reach out," says the EU advisor.