NCE-kombo_r-800×450 The clusters contribute to the transfer of technology and expertise from maritime and subsea to aquaculture. By actively collaborating across sectors, we develop new technology and education for the marine industries.
At Sysla on February 26, we read that researchers from Sintef feared that it would be "a waste if the marine industries remained on their own turf". In Western Norway, there are several strong marine clusters that collaborate across borders to solve challenges. This has created the basis for Western Norway to have Norway's most innovative and competitive companies within the marine industries.
When the Prime Minister launched our new national ocean strategy in Bergen on Tuesday this week, we also opened the country's first ocean accelerator in the same city. This means co-location for even more collaboration across industries.
Cluster-to-cluster collaboration contributes to innovation
But we have several examples of work that has already been done! For example: NCE Seafood and GCE Subsea have facilitated collaboration between companies in oil and gas and aquaculture. Here we have established a number of meeting places that will build bridges between the two industries for learning and technology development. Last year, for example, we brought together over 60 participants to work together to exploit sensor technology across industries.
After Easter, we will start Norway's first accelerator program for our clusters in collaboration with Nyskapningsparken and Bergen Technology Transfer, a program for systematic restructuring and growth into new markets.
In the maritime industries in Western and South-Western Norway, a collaboration has also been started around Industry 4.0 digitalization and robotization, with the clusters in the driving seat. Together, the companies in the maritime industries learn from the world's top expertise environments. The project also deals with new business models that will ensure better utilization of the companies' expertise and resources and thereby strengthen the competitiveness of the maritime industries.
Environmental technology in the marine industries
The Sintef survey indicates that common to the various industries is the desire for more investment in environmental technology. We are already doing this across industries. In the NCE Maritime CleanTech industry cluster, several projects related to the aquaculture sector have been started. Here, maritime companies, energy companies and fish farming companies are collaborating to develop low and zero emission solutions for both fish farming facilities and the work boats on the facilities. In addition, expertise on fish health is being brought in from companies in NCE Seafood.
For the aquaculture industry, technological development is important to ensure sustainable development for further growth. The development concessions are one of many major areas of focus that open up new radical innovations for future forms of production. Sustainable and profitable growth is a prerequisite for achieving the national growth goals.
Collaboration on future ocean expertise
We who work in the clusters have long since realized that multidisciplinary collaboration must be stimulated early. We collaborate on recruitment programs that bring together over 2,000 young people annually (Ocean Talent Camp, together with Maritime Bergen).
Through collaboration with the University of Bergen, we have contributed to three new civil engineering programs within the marine industries: sustainable aquaculture, technology development within renewable energy, and marine technology.
This is about technology that will solve challenges within oil and gas production, aquaculture, fisheries, climate, mineral extraction and monitoring. This will provide us with students who will contribute to helping Norway through the green transition and at the same time create new, sustainable growth within the marine industries.
Based on our good experiences with knowledge sharing, we are now further developing the collaboration to facilitate lasting interaction: On Tuesday, February 21, we opened Norway's first accelerator for the ocean industries, Ocean Industries Accelerator (OIA).
The OIA competence community is a collaboration between GCE Subsea, NCE Maritime Cleantech, NCE Seafood and Bergen Technology Transfer. Here, both new companies from the ACCEL Seafood program and established companies will come together for further development. Exciting projects will arise, experienced mentors will assist and competent investors will contribute. This will create growth, innovation and scaling in the marine industries in the west.
The coast is clear.
The OECD predicts that the ocean industries will outpace growth in the global economy. Here in the West, we will help ensure that it creates value creation and employment throughout Norway. But it requires a formidable effort from everyone. Both from industry and from the public sector.
The ocean industries must be in focus if Norway and the rest of the world are to meet the climate goals from Paris. The world's population is increasing, and with it also the need for energy and food. Clean, maritime solutions, underwater technology and aquaculture can help meet these needs. The clusters are the transformation engine for innovation and development in business. Within the ocean industries, Norway has a unique opportunity, and in the west the clusters are gathered in a large cluster.
In other words: The coast is clear!
The post was first published on sysla.no
