Our role at the GCE Blue Maritime Cluster is to act as an enabler across the entire value chain, driving innovation within the cluster and facilitating the development of future technologies, solutions, and businesses. With our competitive advantage, we are committed to shaping the future of the maritime industry, promoting excellence and sustainability on a global scale.
Global Centre of Expertise
GCE Blue Maritime Cluster was granted the status of a Global Centre of Expertise in 2014 due to our unique market position and significant contribution to Norwegian value creation,
Global Centre of Expertise is at the top level in the Norwegian cluster program. Three business clusters in Norway currently have this status. The government awards this national status to the most global and rapidly growing business clusters. Strategic collaborative projects between the cluster's partners and external partners will contribute to increased value creation and strengthen the cluster's attractiveness and position within global value chains.
The Blue Maritime Team
The GCE Blue Maritime Cluster project is run by the innovation company ÅKP AS and can draw on the extensive expertise and excellent network in this knowledge environment. Our steering committee, comprising of key stakeholders from the maritime industry, R&D, and academia, provides us with valuable insights and expertise, positioning us strongly to understand and meet the industry's demands and expectations.
Pierre Yann Major - Head of the Cluster
Juuni Elisabeth Vatne - Head of Marketing
Knut Tore Aurdal - Head of Projects
The Steering Committee
- Njål Sævik – Chairman, CEO, Havila Shipping
- Johnny Aarseth – EVP Integration & Energy, Kongsberg Maritime
- Stig Remøy – CEO, Olympic
- Geir Larsen – EVP Sales, Brunvoll Group
- Håvard Sætre - CEO, Sirius Design & Integration
- Håvard Vollset Lien - VP Research & Innovation, Vard Group,
- Tore Ulstein –Owner, Ulstein Group
- Unni Grebstad – CVO/CEO, Ocean Visioneering
- Kristian Voksøy Steinsvik – CEO, SINTEF Ålesund
- Anne Seth – NTNU Ålesund
- Gunnar Hareide – Chairman of the Board, ÅKP
A cluster is a geographical proximate group of interconnected companies and associated institutions in a particular field, linked by commonalities and externalities.
– M. Porter (1998)
