Marine and maritime Clusters are crucial tools to boost innovation and diversification of the Blue Economy. Their core concept and number of organizations associated with clusters have faced a huge increase and transformation throughout the years. As a matter of fact, a range of practices and approaches have emerged through time, i.e., creation of new industrial complexes, agglomeration of interlinked industries, community-based networks, etc.

Based on specific local needs and experiences, as well as on the different development patterns and challenges faced across the blue economy sectors, a huge diversification of the types of clusters has been encountered. Nevertheless, one of the common factors is indeed the process of connecting public and private entities working in all transversal sectors at both national and Mediterranean levels. In fact, clusters are crucial facilitators of networking, technology transfer, internationalization, and innovation between SMEs, large companies, research centers, universities, etc., and they act as key actors to promote sustainable investments in the blue economy. Hence, clusters as fundamental pillars for every nation, for the implementation of policies as well as for bringing together both research and industry spheres. Fostering strict cooperation between these two worlds, in fact, can further boost innovation in the blue economy, not only in traditional sectors but also in emerging sectors. Hence, clusters are indeed key actors in supporting public and private organizations in dealing with technological, infrastructural, and business changes and improvements and to foster sustainable and safe development of Blue Economy activities, maximizing research results, and supporting investments and industries for the implementation of innovative projects. Encouraging the creation of blue economy clusters at regional, national, and international levels would create linkages throughout the research and industry organizations at international levels, bringing new successful results in the Mediterranean area and beyond.