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A PROGRAM IN

The future is blue

The Blue Maritime cluster is a world leader in design, construction and operation of advanced vessels for the global ocean industries.


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)



Our Participants

The Norwegian coast is home to a unique concentration of maritime companies, and specialized research and educational institutions. Together they represent the Norwegian maritime cluster.

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Norwegian Innovation Clusters

Norwegian Innovation Clusters is a state-funded cluster program that will contribute to value creation through sustainable innovation.

This will be done by triggering and reinforcing collaborative development activities in the clusters, with the aim of increasing the clusters' dynamism and attractiveness, and increasing the individual company's innovation capacity.

The Blue Maritime cluster is part of the national cluster programme, funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, owned by the Norwegian Research Council, SIVA and Innovation Norway, whereas the latter also hosts the administration of the programme.

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Gold Label for GCE Blue Maritime

The European Cluster Excellence Initiative has awarded the "Gold Label" certification to GCE Blue Maritime, as one of only 78 business clusters in Europe.

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