Ministerial roundtables, #WomenInMaritime workshops, tech expos and maritime summits.

This week is a busy one for the maritime sector. With plenty of opportunity to promote our interests and work with partners to further our collective ambition to grow the UK's maritime sector, there are high-level meetings and events across the length and breadth of the country.

Tuesday

Industry representatives are meeting with BEIS Minister, Richard Harrington, tomorrow in his role as maritime minister at the department and also as the minister responsible for sector deals.

As well as making the case for the maritime sector within BEIS, including the value (£40bn and 1,000,000 jobs), industry leaders from Maritime UK, UK Major Ports Group, Society of Maritime Industries, Babcock, UK Chamber of Shipping and British Marine will update the minister on the sector deal's development and ask for his support.

Based upon government feedback, the evolving deal bid is likely to focus on:

  • Regions/Place/Clusters
  • Technology & Innovation
  • Business environment 

Learn more about the developing maritime sector deal here.

Elsewhere in London, the Women in Maritime Taskforce is meeting to continue drafting the Women in Maritime Charter.

The Taskforce brings together leaders from across the maritime sector to identify practical steps to increase the number of women in maritime, and crucially within senior roles across its shipping, ports, services, engineering and leisure marine industries.

Companies have started to sign the Women in Maritime Pledge.

Later in the day, the Maritime UK Regional Council is meeting in Plymouth.

The UK’s maritime regions are meeting for the second time, after their first meeting in Birkenhead earlier in the year.

The Regional Council brings together maritime ‘cluster’ organisations from across Britain.

Designed to act as a forum for collaboration amongst regional cluster organisations, the meeting will ensure clusters are up-to-date and engaged with national initiatives from industry and government - including the Women in Maritime programme and sector deal process.

Held in advance of the Marine Tech Expo (Thursday), cluster representatives will tour the Oceansgate development, described as the new home of marine enterprise in Plymouth.

Wednesday

Industry representatives from Maritime UK, British Marine, Maritime London and the Society of Maritime Industries will meet with DIT Minister, Graham Stuart MP, to discuss industry concerns and ideas to improve trade promotion support.

A number of proposals for collaboration between the sector and government will be tabled by industry - including a new Maritime is GREAT campaign.

Thursday

Thursday sees focus shift north, to Liverpool, where the maritime city hosts a unique shipping conference focused on the 'Northern Maritime Powerhouse' and its role in driving global trade in a post-Brexit Britain.

Held as part of the International Business Festival, it will look at how digitalisation and increased connectivity can enhance port processes and innovative solutions can transform maritime transport by ensuring maximum transparency. It will discuss block chain technologies and big data in the context of streamlining shipping and port operations to the lasting benefit of the end-users: the importers and exporters. 

The afternoon session will focus on Maritime UK's Women in Maritime Programme. Speakers from Maritime UK, Chevron, Fairplay, the RFA and Carlbom Shipping will join a panel chaired by Lloyd's List's Helen Kelly to discuss the Taskforce's work and ambitions. Speakers will share their personal experience of working in the sector and why progress is vital.

Plymouth is also hosting its second Marine Tech Expo on Thursday, designed to showcase the city’s marine credentials across the world in the run up to the Mayflower 400 celebrations in 2020. The event will bring together decision makers involved in the latest marine innovations in blue technology under one roof at Plymouth University.

SMI Chief Executive, John Murray, will speak on behalf of Maritime UK.

Keep up to date with Maritime UK on Twitter: @MaritimeUK