INNOVATION IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY CLOSING REMARKS

INNOVATION IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
CLOSING REMARKS
By Lasse Skovby Rasmusson
Managing Director, ATV
Dear speakers and participants,
As managing director of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences I would like to express my most
sincere appreciation of your participation and great contributions to this seminar.
Ways and means to economic growth and export possibilities have been discussed at countless seminars
and conferences in Denmark. But at this seminar, we have seen a profound picture develop of how this
can be achieved within one of the most advanced and important industries in Denmark – the maritime
industry!
The Danish maritime cluster is described by the Danish Maritime Authority. The number of employees is
estimated to impressive 85,000. In total, Blue Denmark comprises even more thought provoking116,000.
Further, the majority of the staff works within research and development or highly advanced production
and products at knowledge institutions and enterprises.
Among many highly useful and valuable things they develop paint, pumps, boilers, fire‐fighting
equipment, systems to avoid biological pollution from ballast water, live‐saving equipment, security and
monitoring systems, engines that pulls 2/3 of all goods transported between the continents for the global
consumer market.
Denmark can be proud to hold a leading position. But to keep a leading position within any global
industry, it is necessary to continuously develop advanced and competitive technologies.
Today, it has been emphasized that further advancement to a great extent will happen in regard to
environmental issues and energy efficiency. That means that the job is to transform environmental
demands into business opportunities.
The seminar itself is an ordinary ATV facilitated activity, where knowledge meets demands, knowledge
institutions and enterprises. It is the trademark of the academy.
The areas of interests for ATV seminars, including the one today, are identified by the honourable
academy members. The members represent the highest expertise within science, technology and
engineering in Denmark. They are dedicated to value creation. And they are of course independent of
political and economical interests.
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ATV does not only consider seminars a platform for business opportunities and for research to meet
industry. We also consider these seminars a modern format of industrial policy with great scientific and
economic importance for Denmark.
This kind of industrial policy has a strong and direct micro‐level impact, as it is driven and developed by
the same people, who will eventually assume responsibility for realisation. The role of ATV is to serve and
facilitate this process.
I would like to thank The Danish Maritime Fund for financial support and A. P. Moller – Maersk for
inviting us to the company’s global headquarter.
I would also like to acknowledge ATV’s Group for Construction and Production for identifying the theme
and the organizing committee including my never resting associate Mr. Røge for an extraordinary effort in
bringing together relevant and influential speakers.
Finally, I would like to thank Mr. Bo Cerup‐Simonsen, Vice President at A. P. Moller ‐ Maersk for his
immense contribution the seminar. Mr. Cerup‐Simonsen has been very active in the Group for
Construction and Production and Vice Chairman for the past two years.
At ATV we look forward to future cooperation with Mr. Cerup‐Simonsen – when his time schedule again
allows it.
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In the course of the day you, the speakers and participants of the international maritime community and
especially the Danish maritime cluster, have participated in a survey and identified a number of
important issues.
These issues, challenges and opportunities, will be on the agenda of tomorrow’s product and business
development activities with the Danish contractors to the global maritime industry.
However, the issues should also be on tomorrow’s political agenda to further the maritime industry and
thus adding to Danish value creation and well‐fare society.
I hope you all realise the influence of your participation in this seminar. And I believe that the seminar has
inspired – at least some you – in regard to your organisation’s future focus, priorities and policies.
Therefore, on behalf of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences, thank you for your contribution!
Copenhagen 16 May 2011
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