Comparing National Maritime Cluster Strategies in Developing and Developed Economies
National maritime clusters are groups of companies and organizations in the maritime sector that are located in close proximity and cooperate to achieve common goals. Maritime clusters can enhance the competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability of the marine industry, as well as foster regional development and integration. However, the structure and performance of maritime clusters vary depending on the economic, social, and environmental context of each country. This paper compares the national maritime cluster strategies in developing and developed economies, focusing on the cases of South Africa, Singapore, and Denmark.
South Africa is a developing economy with a long coastline and rich marine resources. However, its maritime sector faces many challenges, such as lack of infrastructure, skills, and investment, as well as high levels of poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. To address these issues, the South African government launched the Operation Phakisa initiative in 2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay For Me Without Delay, which aims to unlock the economic potential of the ocean by developing six priority sectors: marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture, marine protection and governance, tourism, and small harbours development. The initiative also involves the establishment of a national maritime cluster organization, the Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster (NMBMC), which brings together key stakeholders from industry, academia, government, and civil society to promote collaboration, capacity-building, advocacy, and information dissemination [1].
Singapore is a developed economy that relies heavily on its maritime sector for trade, transportation, and logistics. Singapore has a well-established maritime cluster that consists of more than 5,000 companies employing over 170,000 people. The cluster is supported by a strong institutional framework that includes the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), which regulates and develops the maritime industry; the Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF), which promotes public-private partnerships and raises awareness of the sector; and the Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS), which conducts research and education on maritime issues. The cluster also benefits from a conducive business environment that offers tax incentives, financial support, legal protection, and technological innovation [2].
Denmark is a developed economy that has a long tradition of maritime excellence. Denmark has one of the largest merchant fleets in the world and is a leader in green shipping and digitalization. The Danish maritime cluster comprises more than 1,000 companies employing over 100,000 people. The cluster is coordinated by the Danish Maritime Forum (DMF), which organizes an annual event that brings together global leaders from industry, government, academia, and civil society to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the maritime sector. The cluster also collaborates with other clusters in Europe through the European Network of Maritime Clusters (ENMC), which aims to enhance the competitiveness and visibility of the European maritime industry [3].
The comparison of these three cases reveals some similarities and differences in their national maritime cluster strategies. All three countries recognize the importance of the maritime sector for their economic development and have established dedicated organizations to facilitate cooperation among cluster members. However, they differ in their level of development, their focus areas, and their degree of integration with regional and global markets. South Africa is still in the process of developing its maritime cluster and faces many structural constraints that limit its growth potential. Singapore has a mature and diversified maritime cluster that leverages its strategic location and competitive advantages to serve as a global hub for maritime activities. Denmark has an advanced and specialized maritime cluster that focuses on niche segments such as green shipping and digitalization and collaborates with other European clusters to create synergies.
References:
[1] Nelson Mandela Bay Maritime Cluster – AANCHOR – All AtlaNtic Cooperation for Ocean Research & Innovation [Online]. Available: https://allatlanticocean.org/initiatives/nelson-mandela-bay-maritime-cluster/ [Accessed: 17-Jan-2024].
[2] Maritime clusters: the future of the marine essay help industry? – Wärtsilä [Online]. Available: https://www.wartsila.com/insights/article/maritime-clusters-the-future-of-the-marine-industry [Accessed: 17-Jan-2024].
[3] Clusters – National Maritime [Online]. Available: https://www.nmdg.co.uk/business-enterprise/clusters/ [Accessed: 17-Jan-2024].
