How can Ukraine’s maritime industry be consolidated and systematically represented in line with blue economy principles and EU approaches, ensuring its integration into the unified European maritime information space?

The Ukrainian Maritime Cluster has demonstrated that through systematic communication, implementation of international projects, and participation in EU sectoral networks, Ukrainian enterprises can achieve visibility at the international level. This creates sustainable access channels to the unified European maritime information space and expands cooperation opportunities for all stakeholders.

“Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible” (Albert Einstein)

“The Ukrainian maritime industry faces challenges that require clear and coordinated action. That is why we did not just talk — we worked to make our Cluster stronger, more open to international cooperation, and more beneficial for each member. Systemic, institutional work involving motivated professionals and experts is the key to a proper understanding of European prospects for Ukrainian enterprises and overall readiness for full EU integration,” — Artem Vashchylenko, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the PU “Ukrainian Maritime Cluster”

Practice Passport

Practice Title	Representation of maritime industry companies and promotion of the blue economy concept of Ukraine
Cluster / Source Organization	PU “Ukrainian Maritime Cluster” (UMC)
Region	Ukraine
Implementation Period	Active international phase 2022–2025 (ongoing)
Cluster Maturity Level	Mature cluster with a strong project portfolio
Number of Member Companies	39
Thematic Areas	Internationalization, Cluster Communications & PR, SME Services, International Cooperation
Target Audience	Clusters in export-oriented, high-tech sectors that require not just occasional clients, but institutional integration into European economic networks

Context and Problem Addressed by the Practice

Ukraine’s maritime industry includes shipbuilding, ship repair, engineering, RDI, service, and scientific companies with significant professional and industrial expertise. However, for a long time, its potential lacked coordinated and systematic international representation, making it difficult to form a coherent perception of the sector.

Companies operated individually, creating a fragmented picture that did not reflect the true maturity of the industry. The practice of the Ukrainian Maritime Cluster ensures institutional, structured, and reliable representation of Ukraine’s maritime industry and marine resource development within the framework of the blue economy concept.

Description of the Practice Mechanism (“What’s Under the Hood”)

The practice brings together maritime industry companies for coordinated representation of their competencies and services. The cluster builds a unified database, supports participation in international projects and events, and creates a favorable environment for development and global integration.

This enables the demonstration of the industry’s maturity and potential at the international level.

Institutional European integration as a trust-building tool:
UMC implements institutional diplomacy by focusing on participation in key European industry networks — SEA Europe (Shipyards’ & Maritime Equipment Association of Europe), ENMC (European Network of Maritime Clusters), and EBI (European Boating Industry). Membership (associate or full) increases reputational capital and provides access to the unified European maritime information space, strengthening trust in the Ukrainian maritime sector.

Collective brokerage and exhibition expansion:
Through international projects, UMC ensured joint participation of Ukrainian companies under a unified national pavilion at major industry events, including Europort (Rotterdam, 2023) and Baltexpo (Gdańsk, 2025), as well as organized B2B meetings in Varna, Constanța, and Batumi within the 4BIZ – Boosting the Blue Economy in the Black Sea Region project.

The cluster coordinated participation, handled exhibition space logistics, designed meeting programs, and facilitated communication among participants with the support of relevant state institutions and diplomatic missions.

UMC also contributes to organizing events in Ukraine within the framework of the annual European Maritime Day, providing a stable platform for dialogue between Ukrainian and European stakeholders.

Resources and Preconditions

The implementation of this practice requires a team capable of handling sectoral data and maintaining professional communication with European institutions. The cluster relies on experts who ensure data consistency, accuracy, and structured dialogue with partners.

The financial model is hybrid. A significant share of resources comes from EU grant programs, including the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021–2027 and EU4Business, enabling co-financing of organizational and administrative costs.

Key expert contributions come from cluster members, including engineering firms, shipbuilding companies, service providers, and academic institutions (notably Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding), who invest their expertise and resources into joint activities.

Results and Outcomes

The practice enabled systematic international representation of Ukrainian maritime companies (Europort 2023, Baltexpo 2025) and ensured their presence in the European information space.

Short-term quantitative results:

• Membership in 3 major European associations (SEA Europe, ENMC, EBI)
• Implementation of co-funded international projects (4BIZ, EU4Business, etc.)
• 7 signed partnership agreements with international and national organizations

Medium-term effects (status shift):
Participation in European networks and international projects strengthened UMC’s institutional presence at the EU level and expanded opportunities for cooperation and joint initiatives.

Structural changes (SME behavior):
Cluster members became more active in international events, improved their data readiness, and aligned communication with international standards. Participation in joint projects increased their readiness for international partnerships.

Sustainability of the Practice

The practice is a stable component of cluster operations. Mechanisms for data collection, analytical reporting, and cooperation with European organizations function continuously and are not dependent on individual projects.

The period 2022–2025 helped identify cluster leaders who strengthened the European integration agenda and regional development programs within the blue economy framework.

Limitations and Risks

Security constraints: Difficulty in involving experts in international travel and events, forcing cluster management to take on disproportionate representation responsibilities

Expectation risk (long deal cycles): Unrealistic expectations of quick results from international activities

Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Clusters4Regions

This case shows how a cluster can transform sectoral analytics into a tool of economic diplomacy.

Key lessons:

• Analytics creates markets: European partners demand structured and transparent data. Clusters capable of producing analytical outputs (reports, mappings, catalogs) become indispensable institutional players.
• Network integration first: For export-oriented sectors, joining European cluster networks (ENMC, SEA Europe, EBI) is more important than one-off exhibition participation. Membership unlocks access to long-term European consortia.

Recommendation for emerging clusters:
Do not attempt to replicate this model without a solid base of companies ready for international compliance. Start with a deep internal audit to assess whether you have a product ready for the European “showcase.”

The presentation of the case study is available via the link:

This practice has been included in the Ukraine Best Practice Guide, which we are developing as part of the Clusters4Regions project.

To be among the first to receive the full version of the Guide, please complete the short pre-registration form.

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Clusters4Regions is an initiative aimed at designing and implementing cluster programs in six regions of Ukraine (Vinnytsia, Volyn, Sumy, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi, and Ternopil regions). The initiative is implemented by the Ukrainian Cluster Alliance at the request of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, with the support of the Swiss-Ukrainian project “Ukraine`s Cohesion and Regional Development” UCORD, and is aligned with EU priorities, international donor frameworks, and Ukraine’s recovery agenda.