2021: What have we accomplished and what’s in store

It’s coming up to that time of year again: when we start rounding up our tasks to finish off the year strong and look back at what our ocean technology cluster has accomplished together.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our event calendar, but we are not resting on our laurels, but rather planning another year of projects, programmes and events with and for our partners, members and collaborators.

Although the headlights are directed at 2022, we keep an eye in the rearview mirror, at some of the highlights from 2021 – a year where GCE Ocean Technology:

got bigger and better

Odfjell Oceanwind, Shearwater GeoServices, DeepOcean and 20 other exciting companies became members of GCE Ocean Technology this year – additions that has and will strenghten the cluster as a whole and raise the bar for what we can achieve together.

started sharing competence and workforce

We have developed a platform for our partners and members to borrow or share employees at cost price in Competence Hub. 39 companies have joined thus far, and several people are available for sharing and skills are requested. We hope the hub will simply staffing in turbulent times and increase the cluster collaboration going forward.

strengthened the clusters opportunities in EU

In addition to assisting our partners and members with navigating through EUs funding schemes, we became part of the University of Bergen led EU network "Ocean of Opportunities" where we aim to facilitate several EU applications in research and innovation in the ocean industries through the Horizon Europe programme. The Research Council of Norway has allocated funding for the network for three years from August 2021.

excelled at upscaling and crossover

The growth programme 100ScaleUps was initiated in Oslo in November for the fourth consecutive year. Eight companies are now headed towards module two of the programme, working alongside experts and peers for 12 weeks to create robust strategies for scaling up their company’s projects globally. Moreover, five companies learnt how to expand into new markets and industries through our crossover programme.

sharpened our focus on marine minerals

We secured funding for the Eco-Safe Ridge Mining project coordinated by the University of Bergen. The project will investigate if deep-sea mining on the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge can take place sustainably, avoiding significant harm to the environment. The project will run for three years with a total budget of approximately 18 million NOK, where more than 13 million are granted by the Research Council of Norway.

provided project funding and advice

GCE Ocean Technology contributed with pre-project funding for six joint industry driver projects, as well as providing advice and support to several members during the year. Moreover, we held several seminars and courses about project- and EU funding.

conducted 44 events

Seminars, conferences, delegations and stand opportunities were part of the 44 events we organised for the cluster this year and we topped it off with Møteforum, where 50 companies took part in over 250 one-on-one digital meetings with other partners and members of GCE Ocean Technology during a two hour speed-dating session.

2022: What’s in store

Our projects, programmes and activities are aimed at answering the call for sustainable development of technology within subsea oil and gas, marine minerals, seafood and offshore wind – every year we develop our activities further and add new layers in adherence with the shifting needs of our cluster.

Hang tight for more news and next year’s events through our newsletter.

Finally, we would like to extend our gratitude to our partners, members and all collaborators that contributed to the clusters many achievements this year: Thank you for your contributions, commitment, and trust.

From all of us in GCE Ocean Technology: We wish you a very merry and healthy Christmas and a happy new year.