By forging connections between science, education and business, maritime clusters can help maintain a strong and sustainable maritime sector in Europe which is essential for Europe to have a strong economy.
This was the key message that Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, shared at a meeting of the European Network of Maritime Clusters (ENMC) on Thursday, 2nd July.
The ENMC represents most of Europe’s maritime industries via 17 national clusters.
Maritime industries account for about 5 million jobs and between 3.5 and 4.5 percent of the EU’s GDP.