Evaluating the Greek Maritime Cluster: The Maritime Hellas Initiative and Its Implications for Cluster Policy

ABSTRACT: This paper evaluates the Greek maritime cluster through the case of the Maritime Hellas initiative, examining its structure, effectiveness, and strategic role within the broader maritime ecosystem. Drawing on cluster theory and international maritime cluster models such as Singapore, Rotterdam, and Oslo, the study investigates how governance, institutional coordination, related industries, advanced factor conditions, and competitive pressures influence perceived value and formal participation within the Greek maritime cluster. Using a quantitative cross-sectional methodology based on 574 responses from maritime stakeholders, the research applies descriptive statistics, structural modelling, and Firth penalized logistic regression to explore the determinants of perceived support and registration within Maritime Hellas. The findings reveal that advanced factor conditions, competitive pressure, and firm size positively affect perceived value, while institutional maturity and related-supporting industries may reduce the perceived incremental value of intermediary coordination mechanisms. Formal participation is primarily associated with governance quality, advanced capabilities, and organizational capacity. The study highlights the importance of institutional trust, targeted upgrading services, and differentiated cluster policies for strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the Greek maritime ecosystem.

KEYWORDS: Maritime Transport, Shipping Industry, Maritime Policy, Innovation, Maritime Economy, Sustainable Development, Maritime Clusters, Competitiveness

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Citation note:

Korkidis V., Boviatsis M.: Evaluating the Greek Maritime Cluster: The Maritime Hellas Initiative and Its Implications for Cluster Policy. TransNav, the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, Vol. 20, No. 3, doi:10.12716/1001.20.03.16, pp. 689-700, 2026

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