maritime Technology Cluster FVG
mareFVG (Maritime Technology Cluster FVG) is a non-profit public-private consortium established in 2009 and based in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Italy. The cluster serves as the regional reference point for companies, universities, research centres, and training institutions active in the maritime sector, with the mission to boost the competitiveness of the regional maritime ecosystem at national, European, and international levels.
Core Activities:
- Networking and Collaboration: promoting interregional and international partnerships among the cluster’s members;
- Project Support: assistance to cluster members for R&D projects, administrative reporting, and technical implementation;
- Innovation and Open Innovation: organizing workshops, events, and matchmaking initiatives to connect research results with end users;
- Training and Orientation: support in designing school and university pathways, customization of professional courses, delivery of school laboratory activities, and career guidance in maritime professions;
- Observatory and Mapping: continuous mapping of regional stakeholders—over 1,300 maritime companies registered as of late 2024—to analyze skills and technological needs, guide regional policies, and support the establishment of new entities in the territory;
- Technology Transfer: organizing thematic seminars and technical events on emerging maritime technologies
In 2025-2026, mareFVG is undergoing a strategic transformation to expand its scope beyond maritime technology to include aerospace, underwater economy and renewable energies. This evolution, driven by regional stakeholders and major industrial players, positions mareFVG as a multisectoral innovation hub designed to address the technological challenges of the future.
Besides a dedicated project team, the cluster relies on a multidisciplinary team of experts with advanced technical and administrative skills, who can be engaged based on specific project needs and their areas of expertise.
Contacts:
Cristina Cesaro cristina.cesaro@marefvg.it
Flavia Fortin flavia.fortin@marefvg.it
Wendy Lenarduzzi wendy.lenarduzzi@marefvg.it
Roberta Padovan roberta.padovan@marefvg.it
IoT and Maritime Applications Online Course Held Under Erasmus+ Project LeaderSHIP4Skills
From July 1st to 4th, 2025, the University of Genoa (Italy) hosted the free online course “IoT Concepts, Architectural Principles and Maritime Applications”, aimed at professionals, researchers, and PhD students interested in digital innovation in the maritime sector.
This training initiative is part of the EU-funded LeaderSHIP4Skills project, which supports the development of future-oriented skills in the European maritime industry.
Delivered entirely in English and open to all without prerequisites, the course offered 8 hours of theoretical and practical content. Topics included:
- Fundamental IoT concepts
- Communication protocols
- Cloud-based solutions
- Real-world maritime applications
The course was organized by the University of Genoa as part of the research visit of Dr. Natalia Reen from Åbo Akademi University (Finland). During the exchange period, she was involved in LeaderSHIP4Skills project activities including co-authoring an academic paper, developing new maritime education curricula, and designing and piloting lectures bringing her specific knowledge on greener and digital technologies applied to shipbuilding.
A group of 10–12 participants took part in the training, engaging in interactive sessions that bridged cutting-edge technology with maritime industry needs. Among others, IoT was identified in earlier phases of the project as one of the “urgent skill” emerging in the field.
VET students gain knowledge of sustainable shipbuilding
How does the maritime industry actually work with sustainable shipbuilding? That was the main question when 75 vocational students from Herøy and Haram upper secondary schools in Møre and Romsdal, Norway left the classroom and headed to local shipyards to learn firsthand.
The short pilot course, “Introduction to sustainable shipbuilding”, took place at the two esteemed shipyards Green Yard Kleven in Ulsteinvik and Vard Søviknes. The course provided students with valuable insights into the shipbuilding sector in Møre og Romsdal, and why companies take sustainability seriously.
“It’s been both fun and interesting to visit these shipyards—not just to see what they do, but also to hear why they are so environmentally conscious,” said students Karl Inge Yri Brandal and Adomas Gedaudas. They are both enrolled in the first year of the Technology and Industrial Production program at Herøy Upper Secondary School. This education path can quickly lead to apprenticeships and careers in the maritime industry.
“This has been an educational experience for the students. They’ve gained firsthand knowledge of how and why some of our leading maritime companies work with sustainability. We’re very grateful that these companies welcome us and help students gain a deeper professional understanding,” said Håkon Sæterøy, principal at Haram Upper Secondary School.
Sustainability in the Curriculum
Through a recent education reform in Norway, sustainable development became a cross-cutting theme in all vocational subjects. The goal is to raise awareness among students about reducing environmental footprints and the connection between sustainability and technological development.
“It’s important that students see sustainability as more than just a concept—it’s something companies actively work on and see opportunities in,” said Sæterøy.
The phrase “Sustainability is our business model” was the opening slide during the students’ visit to Green Yard Kleven in Ulsteinvik in late March. Green Yard Kleven is a lifecycle shipyard offering a wide range of services with a strong focus on sustainability—not only in industrial production but also in economic and social aspects. During the visit, students got to see and hear what a lifecycle shipyard really looks like.
Offshore Wind and Future Fuels
A week later, the students visited Vard’s shipyard in Søviknes. Here, they learned about the shipbuilders’ thoughts on environmental emissions and future fuel choices. Representatives from Ålesund-based Norwind Offshore were also present. The company is heavily investing in offshore wind and has commissioned several vessels from Vard. In addition to presentations, students toured the NB 973, a vessel currently under construction for Purus.
“It’s been an exciting program, especially getting to be on board the ship,” said students Ask Korsnes and Live Tysnes from Haram Upper Secondary School.
They said they learned a lot during the visits, including the importance of having a maritime cluster where companies collaborate. While they were still unsure about a future career in shipbuilding, the program clearly showcased a forward-looking industry.
Feedback and evaluation shows a high degree of satisfaction among the students, including their improved knowledge about sustainable shipbuilding.
Erasmus+ Project
The pilot course is part of the Erasmus+ project LeaderSHIP, in which Møre and Romsdal County Council participates. The project involves 19 partners from eight European countries working together to develop future competencies for tomorrow’s shipbuilders. Digitalization and green transition are central themes, with Maritim Forening Søre Sunnmøre (Mafoss) representing maritime companies in Møre and Romsdal.
“Collaboration between education and industry is crucial to meet future competence needs. We know we’ll need many qualified professionals in the region in the coming years, especially in the maritime sector. Erasmus+ LeaderSHIP and the course the students participated in provide deeper professional understanding of where the industry is heading. It also helps strengthen recruitment,” said Jan Thormodsæter, CEO of Mafoss.
photo credits: Adrian Hildre
Empowering the Future of Maritime Talent through the LeaderSHIP4Skills Project!
On June 19th, BASQUE MARITIME CLUSTER held its Annual General Assembly, gathering over 120 industrial and institutional representatives from across the Basque Country to reflect on the state of the maritime industry and its strategic direction.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the Erasmus+ LeaderSHIP Project, a major initiative in which Basque Maritime Cluster is actively involved. This initiative is a cornerstone of the Cluster’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the maritime sector.
➡️ In addition, Basque Maritime Cluster continues to play an active role in shaping the new European Maritime Industrial Strategy, contributing to forums and workshops aimed at boosting the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of Europe’s maritime manufacturing and technology sectors.
We’re proud to be part of this transformative journey, regionally and across Europe.
Successful Training Session on Alternative Fuels in Maritime Transport
Understanding the properties, advantages and challenges of new marine fuels is increasingly important for maritime professionals. Turku UAS’s online course offered an introduction to alternative fuels and it was received with enthusiasm.
73 shipbuilding professionals attended a training session on alternative fuels in maritime transport hosted by Turku University of Applied Sciences (Turku UAS).
The online course, delivered in Finnish, offered a comprehensive introduction to alternative fuels that are emerging as key solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry. As global environmental regulations become more stringent and the sector embraces sustainable practices, understanding the properties, advantages, and challenges of new marine fuels is increasingly important for maritime professionals.
The successful 4-hour training was given by Turku UAS’ Naval Architecture teacher PhD Jari Lahtinen in May-June 2025.
“It was a surprise for me that so many shipbuilding professionals participated these Teams-sessions. The participants were mainly from Meyer Turku Ltd, all eager to learn about the latest advancements in sustainable marine fuels”, says Jari Lahtinen.
Cross-section of the topic
The training provided a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels, including hydrogen, methanol, ammonia, biofuels, and even touched on nuclear power and wind assistance for ships. Participants explored the properties, benefits, and challenges associated with these fuels, gaining valuable insights into fuel storage, safety, and environmental impact.
“The course covered critical topics including fuel storage, safety considerations, environmental impacts, and the latest technological developments—equipping learners with the knowledge needed to navigate the future of sustainable shipping”, Jari Lahtinen says.
Feedback from the attendees was positive. Many praised the depth of knowledge shared by Dr. Lahtinen and appreciated the online format of the session. The course was particularly noted for its practical approach, offering brief overview of real-world applications and future developments in marine fuel technology.
“The training session marks a significant step towards equipping maritime professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the evolving themes of marine fuels, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and contributing to a sustainable future”, Jari Lahtinen summarises.
Implementing Practical Quality and Risk Management for Collaborative Impact
Authors: Emilie Descheemaecker, Philippe Buffe de Mornas and Marion Leclerc
Campus for Vocational Education and Training specialized in Maritime economy – University of Toulon (France)
When embarking on the project “LeaderSHIP 4 Skills”, the team from the Center for Vocational Education and Training hosted by the University of Toulon chose to implement a tailored approach to quality and risk management (Q&R management).
“LeaderSHIP 4 Skills” brings together 19 partners across 8 European countries over the course of 4 academic years, working on the evolution of the training offer in the shipbuilding and maritime sectors. A project of this scale clearly requires a unique, flexible and responsive Q&R management system.
Our approach is based on the core principle that quality and risk management is an essential part of the project coordination. It contributes directly to the delivery of activities and results that support the project’s overall objectives. The Q&R management system thus serves as a toolbox made available to the partners, enabling them to guide decisions and actions in a structured and informed manner.
As in any context, the quality manager’s top priority is to foster engagement and active participation in the Q&R system. To achieve this, we focus on building meaningful bridges between theoretical frameworks and their practical application within the project.
The best way to engage partners is to constantly demonstrate and apply best practices as much as possible in the implantation of the Q&R management system. Each presentation is carefully crafted with this central question in mind: How can we present this topic in a way that highlights the current challenges or progress without losing the audience’s attention?
When we invite our partners to engage with specific quality-related subjects, such as processes design or KPIs (key performance indicators), we begin by clearly explaining the concepts and illustrating how they contribute to optimizing the overall project execution. European quality standards are put in their proper context, integrated meaningfully within the broader system, and used to support the elaboration of an effective training offer.
Moreover, the role of the quality manager provides a comprehensive perspective on the project. It is thus our responsibility to bring clarity to our partners, by offering well-structured analyses of the data collected through the Q&R management system and translating those insights into actionable recommendations for continuous improvement.
This practical approach to quality and risk management has been well received by our partners. As a result, we collectively agreed to turn this experience into a dedicated training module to the benefit of the shipbuilding sector.
As a conclusion, throughout the “LeaderSHIP 4 Skills” project, our commitment to a pragmatic and engaging approach to quality and risk management has proven both effective and appreciated. By prioritizing clarity, participation, and practical relevance, we have succeeded in embedding Q&R practices into the project’s daily operations, rather than treating them as abstract obligations. While challenges remain, the collaboration and momentum established so far provide a strong platform for the work still to come.