PAC2: Small And medium sized ports as hubs for smart growth and sustainable connectivity (November 2014)

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What are Small and Medium sized Ports (SMPs)? Why are they important? What does the future hold for them? No definitive answer to these questions can be given. Why? Because, like in fiction, also in real life ´minor´ characters are often thought to be playing a secondary part. Therefore their logistics and socio-economic role is still largely undefined and underestimated in literature and in policies, too. In addition, their visibility is limited and their voice often weak. However, the function of SMPs is essential. And that is the reason for this story where SMPs through clusters can become the protagonists. The plot is based on their cross-border collaboration, going beyond competition.


It starts in 2008 in Europe, between the Channel and the southern North Sea, it moves forward across four UK, French, Belgian and Dutch regions and it keeps on going on today, since the PAC2 cluster's partners have no intention to put an end to their voyage of discovery.


Let us learn about how they did it, what were the challenges they have been facing together so far and which opportunities they might face together in the future...