ECMAR

EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN MARITIME RESEARCH

European
Council for Maritime Applied R&D (ECMAR) Association

Background
With the increasing importance of the European Technology Platforms, Research Clusters and Framework Programs, a need was felt to increase the role of Maritime Applied Research Organisations in the discussions with the European Commission.

The organisations in this field are working in between the fundamental research at universities and the direct application by industry, and have a broad view over the research and innovation policies. This implies that an Association for Applied Maritime Research distinguishes itself from the existing ones like CESA, EMEC, WEGEMT or EARTO and can be a good addition to existing organisations.

More emphasis in formulating research and innovation strategies is undoubtedly needed for the European maritime sector, together with improved support services for technology transfer. This can be achieved through clusters and networks with good cooperation and knowledge transfer between research organisations and industry.

The ECMAR Association can differentiate itself and offer added value to that already offered by other associations by developing strategies from trends in research and innovation, from a broad overview of the research area and from the knowledge of both the available technology and the market demands.
Mission
The mission of ECMAR Association is to contribute to a common Strategic Plan for Research and Development in the European Maritime Sector that will contribute in defining content and priorities of National and European Union research programmes. The Strategic Plan will be addressed to the Member States, European Union institutions and the European Maritime Industry. It will serve as an instrument for the members of the Association to actively contribute to the development of a proactive marine research policy and industry.

Please find here a documentation sheet with some more information or take a look at the ECMAR website www.ecmar.eu

Scope
The scope of ECMAR Association is focused on the development of a common strategy for European Research in the maritime industry, and to support the adoption of the relevant research priorities within the scope of he EU Framework Programmes for Research and Technology Development. The ECMAR Association will seek close cooperation with industrial partners, universities and research organisations to develop future R&D in Europe.

Organisation and members
Membership of the organisation is open to all organisations providing applied maritime R&D, with commercial activities, located in the European member, candidate or economic area states. The activities should be in the field of offshore, shipbuilding or shipping.

Initiators of the association are BMT, MARIN, FORCE, VTT, MARINTEK, HSVA, SIREHNA, CETENA, CMT, SAI and SSPA. The association is managed by a (part time) director.

Membership benefits
The benefits for the members of the association are;

Organised representation in Brussels of the interests of the maritime applied research organisations.
Presence of the association at meetings in Brussels.
Influence on the European policy through the critical mass of the association.
Initiation and coordination of membership activities related to technology platforms (e.g. Waterborne), networks, projects and R&D agenda’s.
A contribution to the European research and innovation programs.
An active European network through meetings and seminars.
First hand information on ongoing developments in the European Maritime Research environment.
A quarterly newsletter with information on relevant EC developments and report of the activities of the association.

Membership information
For more information please contact:
Henk Valkhof (Director of ECMAR) H.Valkhof@marin.nl