The European Network of Maritime Cluster (ENMC) and the European Commission held their traditional annual meeting on blue growth for the third time.

For three hours European Commissioner Karmenu Vella and the chairmen of 12 national maritime clusters, leaded by ENMC chairman Francis Vallat, discussed relevant topics related to ocean governance and the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction as well as specific issues encountered in individual member states.

The ENMC representatives insisted, among other things, on accelerating the introduction of measures aimed at making the European Maritime industrymore competitive and reducing administrative burdens.

Also discussed was the necessity of better rules to guaranteea  level-playing field, the need for blue skills together with the facilitation of work possibilities after working on board and, last not but not least, the provision of capital or debt for business ventures for instance via the establishment of an investment platform for the blue economy or the update of TEN-T network and CEF provisions.

One important item on the agenda was the follow-up of the study on collecting and processing maritime data in Europe which was requested and obtained by the ENMC members. The clusters are indeed worried about the implementation of the recommendations of the study with regards to the availability, consistency, recentness and quality of data to be used.

Obviously the needs of the European Commission and the industry significantly differ.

The ENMC members will elaborate on possible solutions on the occasion of the next general assembly to be held in Copenhagen in October.