With more than 20 industries, nearly 900 businesses employing some 39,600 people and 67 academic, research and educational establishments where some 2,650 people work, the maritime economy is a significant economic factor in Lower Saxony. The academic establishments are mainly focused on marine engineering, waterway and coastal engineering and nautical science. Lower Saxony's ship- and boatbuilding businesses currently employ nearly 6,900 people, or more than a quarter of Germany's total workforce in this sector.

Source: Expert opinion on strengthening and further developing the maritime economy in Lower Saxony and the establishment of maritime cluster, undertaken by NORD/LB et al. on behalf of Lower Saxony's Ministry of Economics, Labour and Transport, executive summary, September 2009

Regional focal points in the Cluster's work:

The Lower Saxony Office of the Maritime Cluster Northern Germany started work at the Maritime Research Centre in Elsfleth in June 2011. It is initially concentrating on shipping companies, ports and harbours, shipyards, ship suppliers, the offshore industry and marine engineering.

Starting from the goal of generating more intensive networking within Lower Saxony's maritime economy through visits to businesses, events, consultations and targeted information, specific activities are currently being implemented, e.g. the development of a concept to link Wilhelmshaven deepwater port to Germany's inland waterways network.