As of November 18, 2024, Ragmar Saksing, General Manager of the Estonian Maritime Cluster, has commenced work at the premises of the Estonian Maritime Academy. This form of collaboration supports the Academy's vision of becoming an internationally recognized maritime competence center and brings maritime expertise even closer to all stakeholders.
The Estonian Maritime Academy has long been a hub for cooperation among maritime organizations. For example, the Estonian Association of Ship Engineers, Association of Estonian Deck Officers, the Estonian Shipowners` Association and the Estonian Captains’ Club have either operated or are still operating within its premises. Locating the Maritime Cluster’s General Manager's office within the Academy further strengthens the connections between various sector stakeholders and amplifies the collective impact on maritime development.
The Estonian Maritime Cluster and its objectives
The Estonian Maritime Cluster was established in December 2023, with TalTech, including the Estonian Maritime Academy, as one of its founding members. The organization’s board includes Roomet Leiger, Director of the Estonian Maritime Academy, and Merit Kindsigo, Director of Kuressaare College. The cluster’s primary objectives are to enhance the international competitiveness of the Estonian maritime sector, support innovation, and promote research and development activities.
Ragmar Saksing – a green sector leader and technology expert
Ragmar Saksing, the new General Manager of the Estonian Maritime Cluster, is an experienced technology entrepreneur and leader in the green sector. Holding a degree in marine biology, Saksing has spent the past 20 years in the technology sector, leading strategic projects in both startups and traditional enterprises. His strengths lie in creating ambitious visions, strategic sales, assembling engineering teams, and developing environmentally sustainable technologies.
Saksing’s work at the Maritime Cluster focuses on the following objectives:
- Applying greentech knowledge to modernize and grow Estonia’s maritime sector.
- Developing the cluster and strengthening cooperation between the public sector, industry, and academia.
- Promoting sustainable maritime technologies and securing funding for innovation.
Under Saksing’s leadership, the Estonian Maritime Cluster’s activities have the potential to propel the local maritime sector forward, with a strong emphasis on environmentally sustainable and innovative solutions.