Statement on COVID-19

The following communication was sent to stakeholders in May to provide an update on the awards with regard to COVID-19:

Considering the current challenges facing all parts of the economy, including the maritime sector, it is very unlikely that the awards evening itself will be held on 1st July. Based upon current information, it is more likely that they will be held at some point during the autumn.

Following discussions with our National Council and Plymouth City Council, who are hosting the awards, we believe that the awards can make a positive contribution to the sector as it emerges from the acute challenges we are facing today. There is a recognition that we will get through this period and the sector will greatly benefit from coming together again at that time. Companies are also working incredibly hard to deliver products and services in as comprehensive fashion as possible despite difficulties and we should celebrate this work.

However, it is felt inappropriate to launch the awards at a time when our collective efforts are rightly focused on supporting individual companies and indeed many companies are facing real challenges in surviving. With that in mind, we have pencilled in May as a potential month to launch the awards but will keep this date under review to ensure we time this sensitively and appropriately. We will not publish a definitive date for the awards evening, instead indicating that we are working on the basis that it will be held during the autumn, as soon as possible following the lifting of social separation restrictions. We are fairly relaxed about not offering a specific bookend to the awards process and will use the time between awards launch and the awards evening to showcase entries, sponsors and judges too.

We're pleased to share news that the Department for Transport have asked Maritime UK to deliver their inaugural Clean Maritime Awards as part of the Maritime UK Awards. This will see the addition of three new categories: Clean Maritime Operator, Clean Maritime Enabler, and Clean Maritime Innovator. The Clean Maritime Awards were announced within the Clean Maritime Plan, launched in July 2019 as part of Maritime 2050.