“Ukrainian Maritime Cluster” supports the principles of the Blue Economy and successfully participates in the 4BIZ project – Boosting the Blue Economy in the Black Sea Region by Initiating a Business Collaboration Framework in the field of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Coastal and Maritime Tourism and Maritime Transport. “Marine Design Engineering Mykolayiv” (MDEM) is a member enterprise of the union, which actively joined to the implementation of the project, including the process of disseminating its results.
Thus, at the end of July, families of MDEM employees met at a summer camp in Mangalia, Romania. The vacation had a cultural and educational nature, sports events took place, a familiarization tour of the Damen Shipyards Mangalia, and a meet-up was held.
During the meet-up, MDEM employees and colleagues from Damen Shipyards Mangalia had the opportunity to communicate and share impressions and new trends in the professional field. The head of Damen Shipyards Mangalia came to the event with a friendly visit and also took part in the discussion of current issues.
Olena Zhukova, Managing Director at MDEM, spoke about modern challenges for the development of the Black Sea region and cooperation with colleagues from Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine in this direction within the framework of the 4BIZ international project.
It was stated that the main goal of the project is the development of the Blue economy in the Black Sea region by starting a structure of business cooperation in the field of fishing and aquaculture, coastal and maritime tourism, and maritime transport. Within the framework of which, in 2022, a survey was conducted among the leading Ukrainian enterprises in the marine industry, in which MDEM was invited to participate. Analyzing the results, a list of common needs of enterprises for blue development was determined. One of them was the importance of establishing business contacts. In this regard, various activities are organized within the project. There has already been a report of the consortium countries on the state of the blue economy, workshops on the topics of aquaculture and fishing, coastal and marine tourism. On issues of maritime transport, it will be held in September, and it may be interesting for the residents of MDEM. The project will also be presented at the All-Ukrainian Innovation Ecosystem “Sikorsky Challenge Ukraine” (SCU) 2023 https://www.sikorskychallenge.com/ and at a brokerage event in Batumi in the fall. The progress of the project is reported on social networks and the 4BIZ newsletter.
The participants of the event discussed with Olena Zhukova the prospects of restoring the maritime industry of Ukraine, the development of the Blue economy and the importance of observing international standards.
“MDEM is a design engineering bureau of the global marine giant DAMEN. That is why all the company’s activities are based on European norms, traditions and adhere to the concept of sustainable development. We support Ukraine’s aspirations to develop the blue sector of the economy and welcome positive changes. The ongoing war against Ukraine is hardening us, we are united in the pursuit of victory and further restoration of the country. Despite the fact that MDEM employees are currently forced to work in different countries, the Damen Helpt Foundation and the Association for helping Ukrainians contribute to the organization of joint events that unite us,” said
