North Atlantic Ocean Cluster Alliance

by | feb 24, 2014

Summary of the Report: North Atlantic Ocean Cluster Alliance (NAOCA) – 2014

Overview

This technical report outlines the formation, goals, and achievements of the North Atlantic Ocean Cluster Alliance (NAOCA), a collaboration between ocean clusters from Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Denmark, and Canada. The project aimed to strengthen relationships between marine industries, enhance collaboration, and develop innovative projects focused on the ocean economy.

Key Objectives

  • Short-Term Goal: Establish strong relationships among marine clusters in the North Atlantic.
  • Long-Term Goal: Position the North Atlantic as a world-class provider of marine technology and foster collaboration in high-cost, high-risk projects.

Major Achievements

1. Stronger Cluster Relationships

    • Organized multiple meetings and conferences in Iceland, Denmark, Greenland, Newfoundland, and Norway.
    • Created an alliance of stakeholders across countries, promoting collaboration and networking.

2. Development of Key Projects („Low Hanging Fruits“)
Several initiatives were launched as early-stage collaborative projects, including:

      • The Green Fishing Vessel – A collaboration between Iceland and Norway to develop more sustainable fishing vessels.
      • Arctic Oil & Gas Cluster – A partnership between Denmark, Greenland, and Iceland to enhance Arctic oil and gas exploration and expertise.
      • Project Sharing Initiative – A platform to connect students with marine-related industries for research and job opportunities.
      • Turning Waste into Value – A series of meetings aimed at maximizing the utilization of fish by-products and promoting sustainability.

3. Increased Awareness of Ocean Resource Utilization

        • The project helped gain media attention and government recognition for marine-related industries.
        • Raised awareness about the importance of full utilization of marine resources in North Atlantic economies.

4. Establishment of NAOCA as a Lasting Organization

          • NAOCA became a formal network that facilitates business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-research (B2R) cooperation.
          • Expanded its outreach beyond the North Atlantic, with interest from Alaska, USA, and Portugal.

Challenges & Future Plans

  • Cultural & Policy Differences: There is a need for stronger collaboration among policymakers to support ocean-related industries.
  • Education & Workforce Development: Attracting young talent to marine industries remains a priority.
  • Further Expansion of NAOCA: More clusters, including those in the USA and the Arctic, are expected to join.

Conclusion

The NAOCA initiative successfully built a strong foundation for marine industry collaboration in the North Atlantic, launching multiple impactful projects. It has positioned the region as a potential global leader in sustainable ocean industries, with opportunities for further growth and international expansion.

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