Introduction
The Maritime Clusters’ Communities have been quietly going about their business for several years now.
The over-arching aim of establishing such groupings is to bring together at a maritime location or locations as many maritime related businesses as possible. By “clustering” the theory is that the whole becomes more than the sum of its parts.
Worldwide this concept has been embraced by many maritime countries.
However, visionaries amongst senior maritime industry figures have often mentioned that to make the concept even more useful there was a need to “go international”. This is where the new International Association of Maritime Clusters (IAMC) has a defined role to play.
This dedicated International Association will bring existing clusters together, encourage the formation of new maritime clusters as well as encourage best practice and collaboration.
The existing main international and national clusters will be invited to join IAMC to achieve this collaborative effort world-wide. In addition, maritime member companies of clusters worldwide will also be encouraged to join and participate in a variety of interactive events that will further the overall aims of IAMC. IAMC has a dedicated team already in place whose members are familiar with how international organisations operate and our sights are set on harnessing this knowledge to launch what we consider will be a major new resource for cluster members world-wide.
The Specifics
Like other trade associations, IAMC will be established and governed by embracing the best practices of compliance and transparency.
We are already busy inviting key players with detailed knowledge of the clusters concept to put their names forward for the governance and management roles of this brand-new Association.
Good governance and compliance, operated by distinguished figures with relevant experience will become a reality and will be at the heart of everything we do.
This will give comfort to those joining either as international or regional cluster members or as corporate members the confidence to move forward and support the drive towards the international aspect of maritime clusters.
Peter Shaerf, President of IAMC
Peter is a partner at maritime investment bank AMA Capital Partners and began his career in the industry over fifty years ago. He has served as a director or five publicly traded shipping companies and several privately held ship owning companies.
He has been Chairman or Chairman Emeritus of leading maritime cluster, New York Maritime since 2006 and has helped promote and enhance New York’s position as a preeminent maritime centre.