Greece Shipping Chamber Sets Up 1st Maritime Cluster

The Hellenic Chamber of Shipping announced the creation of “Maritime Hellas”, the first Greek maritime cluster with the aim of promoting the interests of the Greek shipping sector and maritime community sector and bringing together professionals active in the Blue Economy as well as all related fields.

The joint decision was announced during a board meeting of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce & Industry by the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping and the Union of Greek Shipowners. Non-profit NAFS has been assigned to organise the cluster’s website.

“This is an open invitation to the country’s dynamic shipping community to enterprises active in supply, equipment, repair and support services which is to the benefit of all stakeholders… This maritime cluster may be the 17th established in Europe but aims to become Number 1 as Greece, being a maritime nation, relies greatly on its shipping sector,” said Vassilis Korkidis, Piraeus Chamber of Commerce president.

Initially set up to bring together interconnected businesses, suppliers, and associated institutions in a particular field and specific geographical area, clusters are also believed to increase the productivity with which companies can compete nationally and globally.

The Blue Economy accounts for 5.4 million jobs in the EU and has a gross value of 500 billion euros annually.