Larissa Amaral (p), Afonso Lima

Afonso Bragança

Maritime clusters are industrial agglomerations that have a direct relationship with the sea in their economic activities. Given the recent increase in literature on strategy and maritime clusters, especially on the competitiveness characteristic of clusters, this study aims to group the dimensions of competitiveness present in the literature, checking the number of publications, main journals and which dimensions of competitiveness most explored in the literature, considering the search in titles, keywords and abstracts. A systematic review of the literature was carried out in accordance with the research gap identified by Stravroulakis, Papadimitriou & Tsirikou (2021), which suggests mapping the competitiveness factors of maritime clusters, grouped according to Porter's (2017) classification. Used the Ebscohost, Web of Science and Scopus databases. As a result, it appears that despite the theoretical distinction between port cluster and maritime cluster, Ports are the main research unit of maritime clusters, in all competitiveness factors, contributing to the literature by reducing the relevance, in terms of scientific production, among the expressions. There is a predominance of publications on macroeconomic factors and an increase in the number of publications on the topic over time investigated, with the main origin of publications being Asian, with little academic production from Latin America. It innovates by consolidating the three main databases, complementing previous studies that use the databases separately.

Ricardo Bustillo (p), Sergey Sukhankin

Larissa Amaral

An interim between 2007 – 2012, was marked by Russia`s beginning strategic re-orientation towards Asia-Pacific region. This process was greatly accelerated with the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis and the economic-political debacle in relations between Russia and its western counterparts. In pursuit of this “Pivot to Asia” strategy Russia primarily relies on its vast natural resources – primarily non-renewable energy – located in Arctic region and High North. This article examines Russia’s plans in the realm of commercialization of its Arctic-based LNG project as both the means of state budget revenue and a geo-political tool. The article argues that whereas Russia has several competitive advantages in pursuit of this strategic goal, however there is a number of serious limitations that could impede Russia`s ability to be able to fully capitalize Arctic vast LNG deposits.

Sian Prior (p), William Hemmings

Ricardo Bustillo

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has commited to taking concrete actions that ensure that international shipping bears its fair share of responsibility in responding to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. With respect to reducing the impact on the Arctic of emissions of short-lived climate pollutant Black Carbon (BC), the IMO established a work plan in 2011 to "investigate appropriate control measures to reduce the impact of BC emissions from international shipping” the plan envisage a final report and agreement on the appropriate action or actions within two years. In the intervening years, emissions of BC from ships operating in and near to the Arctic have more than doubled. Black carbon is a short-lived climate pollutant, produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels, it has an impact over 3000 times that of CO2 on a 20 year global warming potential (GWP20) basis, and it makes up around one-fifth of international shipping’s CO2equivalent emissions. This paper proposes an approach for a regulation in MARPOL Annex VI, which could deliver “fast and immediate” action on BC emissions via a fuel switch, followed by stricter stepped emission cuts via a polar fuel standard and designation of BC emission control areas (ECAs).

José Lúcio (p)

Sian Prior

In the current context, insecurity and instability in maritime routes that are fundamental to global trade and prosperity are growing. The serious events in the Red Sea deserve particular attention, with the disruption of the safety of commercial maritime traffic in this crucial axis for merchant marine navigation. Thus, recalling the words of geostrategist Klaus Peter Saalbach, the concept of "Great Game" involves guaranteeing safe routes for supplying raw materials and energy sources and accessing strategic markets, even against adversaries or enemies. Thus, and in the face of the insecurity that is progressively being installed in the context of commercial navigation, there is an appeal to the capabilities of navies in being able to guarantee that the seas and oceans remain safe spaces and open to communication between continents and nations. The fundamental objectives of this communication are, on the one hand, to read the most recent contributions relating to the role of navies in this context of growing insecurity and, on the other hand, to propose a reflection on the effective deterrence capabilities of Western navies in the context of responding to some specific security challenges, like the one that we currently seeing in the Red Sea. We believe that at the present time, and in view of the growing insecurity in the field of maritime transport (already having an impact on tariffs, which could have undesirable implications in the sphere of price stability) it is necessary to reflect on the deterrent capacity of Western States. Authors such as Michael Mazarr or James Andrew Lewis have been drawing attention to the need to determine the extent to which non-state entities are effectively sensitive to deterrence exercised by Western military/political means. This point is particularly relevant if we think that the Red Sea corresponds to a fundamental axis of connection and access to highly relevant spaces for the international economy. This way, and in the context of the communication, we will refer to authors (such as Robert Harkavy or Geoffrey Kemp) who have produced analyzes within the framework of so-called “Strategic Geography” (a branch of Geography dedicated to the study of access to areas vital for the security and prosperity of nations) since, in the context of our communication, the territories encompassed in what is generally called the “Middle East” correspond to crucial spaces for the security and enrichment of a very large number of countries.

Afonso Bragança (p)

José Lúcio

Maritime Clusters are important tools for supporting sustainable growth and jobs. They offer opportunities to promote and uptake innovation, knowledge, and skills as well as give access to better finances by ensuring that the support provided is effective and well-placed. Education and the instruction on how important the sea really is opens thousands of doors for the population, both locally as internationally. The existence of new maritime clusters will also help Timor to develop a better blue economy initiative and future projects by being able to reach carbon neutrality and a sustainability. And with a newer, cleaner and bluer economy, thanks to the formation of clusters, East Timor could well be the example most countries need to inspire themselves to develop and change for a Blue Economy. For the island of East Timor, the most precious resources may well be the crystalline waters that surround it, as well as the resources and potential projects one can imagine. Its favourable geography and limited development have fostered for many years a uniquely diverse maritime ecosystem and with a blank and open-minded nation the big question facing the country is: “what role will these waters will play, and what legacy can they provide?”.