Luxembourg Maritime Cluster

Luxembourg Maritime Cluster   Key-actions in the years 2009 - 2010     Since June 2008 Luxembourg’s maritime industries have set up an advocacy group and brought to the fore Luxembourg Maritime Cluster. Thirty-five firms and organizations already take part in the project, whether from the maritime sector in the stricter sense or from its linked activities, such as logistics or service providing

Work Groups on Promoting the Maritime Activities and the Improvement of Luxembourg’s Legal Framework

The work group discussed communications strategies and participated in the development of all major events and communication activities of the Cluster in 2010. During several meetings and informal consultations, the working group elaborated a strategy paper to be presented to the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade. This document is a catalog of proposals to improve and maintain the competitiveness of the Luxembourg legal framework.

Networking-events : « Pots du Cluster »

Three times a year, nearly a hundred guests make it to the meanwhile well-known “Pot du Cluster”. The reception is usually opened by several short speeches on maritime topics. Visitors could attend interesting seminars broaching e.g. the subjects of piracy with risk management experts or maritime law with Dr. Helmut Türk, Vice-President ITLOS.

World Expo Shanghai – “Maritime and Logistic Day”

Along with the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade, the Luxembourg Maritime Cluster presented its services related to the maritime and logistic industries on the occasion of the World Expo.

Development of business relationships with ports

 The maritime cluster has organized two road shows to the ports of Zeebruges and Antwerp. The goal is to identify common opportunities, especially in association with the container terminal Bettembourg (L). A Luxembourg academic delegation also visited the Transport Department of the University of Antwerp to pave the way for possible partnerships.

Public relations: European Maritime Day 2009 and 2010

The maritime cluster designed and implemented two exhibitions on the Link between Luxembourg and the Sea. According to statistics, not less than 100,000 visitors altogether wandered through the panels, models and displays assembled by the maritime cluster. Newspapers and television have taken over the events, both in 2009 and 2010. The Maritime Cluster also organized photography and knowledge contests to arouse people’s interest on maritime related topics. Two Luxembourg scientists delivered lectures on Oceanography, Marine Environment and the Arctic Sea.

Online Communications and Luxembourg Maritime Stamps

Luxembourg Maritime Cluster set up a website dedicated to maritime and shipping industry in Luxembourg. Only nine months after its implementation, the website already matched all expectations in terms of number of visits.

On December 7th, 2010, the very first shipping-related stamps will be issued in Luxembourg. This initiative grew out of several meetings with the Luxembourg Post Office and will allow global advertising for maritime activities in the Grand-Duchy.

Participation to Logistics Management Forum 2009 and 2010