Alejandro Aznar President of the Spanish Maritime Cluster

The Spanish Maritime Cluster (CME) is the only organization that brings together the entire sea sector: its industries, services and economic activities. From the CME we promote the collaboration and cooperation of all of them for a common interest, because only through unity can we make the sea sector recognized and protected by both the authorities and the public.

What role does the CME play in the sector and, especially, for the administration?
The CME is a great meeting point for the entire Spanish maritime sector. On the basis of this integration of all activities, we encourage collaboration and cooperation, thus enabling all subsectors to move forward, to find solutions to common problems, to address challenges and, above all, to influence the public administration in order to protect and defend the sea sector in each of its facets.In this way we certainly contribute not only to the progress of the maritime sector, but also to the whole of Spanish society.The role of the CME in public opinion is also important, enhancing the knowledge and importance of the sea for our country.We could summarize the role of the Cluster as an entity that seeks to raise maritime awareness between politicians and society as a whole.

What more significant developments does the CME have planned for this year?
This year we will continue to strengthen the cooperation and collaboration of all subsectors through the establishment of important working groups, as has recently been the case with insurance. We have also proposed to advise the Administration to continue to address the demands of the sector, as well as to address the challenges that arise, such as the Brexit or maritime safety. On the other hand, we will support the creation of a patron who represents, brings together and defends the interests of shipbuilding. An organization that brings together all shipyards, public and private, as well as the naval auxiliary industry. We will also promote public-private cooperation through the establishment of the newly established Maritime Advisory Council. And all of this, without neglecting what has been achieved so far, keeping our activity channeled through meetings and working breakfasts, addressed to each of the areas of interest of our partners. We will also continue to work with other maritime organizations to further strengthen the unity of the sector.

What is the current situation in the Spanish maritime sector?
The data in general are better and the prospects moderately optimistic, in line with what happens to the whole Spanish economy. But to recover what has been lost by the Spanish maritime sector in recent years will not be an easy or quick task. However, we remain a maritime power and the sea accounts for about 2.8% of our Gross Domestic Product, we have almost 8,000 km of coast, the Spanish maritime sector generates approximately 7.39% of the gross added value of the Spanish economy. The sea gives direct employment to around 460,000 people, 2.3% of the total in Spain, including direct, indirect and induced jobs, generates about 1,260,000 jobs, 6.28% of total employment. In addition, industry supports and collaborates with the activities of many other sectors. It is clear that activities around the sea are a very important factor in creating employment and wealth and that the maritime sector represents a substantial part of the Spanish economy and has the greatest potential to grow and regain weight and presence. For the future I am moderately optimistic, I believe that the maritime sector will be able to improve its competitiveness and international projection on two fundamental vectors, technology and innovation and training, and, in parallel, to improve its image and the appreciation of it as a whole.

What subsectors of the sea will have the greatest route in the coming years?
In a sector as wide and heterogeneous as that represented by the Cluster, we could talk about dozens of trends, which can in turn affect the march of the different subsectors that group the sea. Perhaps we should talk about development vectors, and here we can define two that will lead growth, which is innovation and training. One of the challenges is to promote research and development in the sector, attracting talent and investment, and promoting innovative projects, business creation and internationalization, in all fields... industry, transport, services, commercial, tourism, extractive... Training, which is a demand for innovation, is closely linked to this. There is a need to expand and improve the training supply of the maritime sector and the skills of business staff to be more efficient, more competitive, and better responsive to the demands of society. We could also highlight the factor of internationalization. If you can't put borders on anything, it's the sea. The naval sector is by definition a sector turned to internationalization and its drivers, the first that centuries ago, even without knowing it, worked for the globalization we are in today. Internationalization, which in almost all sectors is a value and one of the best options for the future, in the naval is an obligation. In addition, the current situation, the emerging momentum of new countries and regions, offers us great possibilities and I would say that it forces us to take advantage of them. Although it should not be forgotten that there are also difficulties, such as those that Brexit may entail or policies of a protectionist nature in large economies. But, in addition to these challenges, there are others of importance, in the field of infrastructure; energy, both efficiency and rationalization of consumption and transport, as well as in production, marine wind or wind, for example; industry reactivation; access to different sources of financing; standardisation and quality; safety; sustainability and social or environmental responsibility. In each of them there is currently potential for growth. We have recently been awarded the Training Award, of which we are very proud. Based on your experience in the maritime sector, what recommendations would you make to an SME like us? As I said earlier, training and innovation are fundamental development vectors, and this also applies to the Pymes, where it can also be the differential in working in competitive markets. Internationalization is also another factor to be kept in mind, especially in a country like Spain where the Pymes barely address the external market, for different reasons. It is an area that should not be rejected or afraid of, it can be covered and organizations such as the Cluster can help thanks to collaboration and cooperation between its partners.

Reproduction of the interview by "Siport21" to Alejandro Aznar, president of the Spanish Maritime Cluster, and published in his internal magazine.