Maritime UK Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence in the Maritime Sector

  • None
  • Published:15 Jan 2025

Maritime UK is delighted to announce the much anticipated Maritime UK Awards 2025 (MUKA 25), taking place on 26th June 2025 in Dover, Kent, in partnership with DFDS and the Port of Dover. This prestigious event will be the pinnacle of the Dover Coastal Powerhouse Summit that week, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across the UK to celebrate the outstanding achievements driving the maritime sector forward.

The Maritime UK Awards spotlight the sector’s vital contribution to the UK economy, which generates £116 billion annually and supports over 1.1 million jobs across shipping, ports, engineering, professional services, and the leisure marine industry.

The awards provide an unparalleled opportunity for businesses, organisations and individuals to showcase their success, innovation, and leadership. With categories that reflect the diversity of the sector, from clean maritime innovation to future skills development; the awards continue to celebrate the sector's role in shaping the UK's future.

This year's awards will have a particular focus on the importance of the seafarer and their dedication and commitment which ensures that all four corners of the United Kingdom remain fed, fuelled, and supplied. 

Application Process

The award categories will be:

  • Bevis Minter Award

  • Business of the Year Award

  • Clean Maritime Operator Award

  • Coastal Powerhouse Award

  • Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award

  • Employer of the Year Award

  • Future Skills Award

  • Innovation Award

  • International Trade Award

  • Maritime Ambassador Award

  • Rising Star Award

  • SME of the Year Award (10-250 employees)

  • Start-up of the Year Award

  • Woman of the Year Award

Chris Shirling-Rooke, Chief Executive at Maritime UK, said:

“We are thrilled to announce that one of the continent's most highly anticipated industry awards, the Maritime UK Awards 2025 will take place in Dover, a gateway to Europe and one of our most vital of coastal communities.

With host partners the Port of Dover and DFDS, this year’s awards will celebrate the greatest industry in the country shining a spotlight on a sector, that without the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, simply would not be able to function.

These national awards recognise and reward the incredible talents of pioneering organisations and inspiring individuals that shape the future of an industry where the UK is an absolute world leader. We are delighted to again be showcasing the undisputed capabilities of the UK maritime sector on a national and global stage.”

Doug Bannister, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: 

“Following the recent government announcement of a new Short Straits Maritime Cluster, what a great way to mark this and the critical role Dover and the Short Straits play than by being honoured with hosting the national awards for the UK’s maritime industry. We can’t wait to celebrate the very best of UK maritime under the iconic White Cliffs and to showcase our vision of delivering world-class travel, trade and visitor experiences as the UK’s most seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.”

Gauvain Haulot, Route Director, Channel Business Unit, DFDS, said: ‘DFDS are thrilled to be co-sponsoring the Maritime UK Annual Awards onboard one of our UK Flag vessels.  This gives us a unique opportunity to showcase to industry some of our wonderfully talented and skilled seafarers along with their shore-based colleagues, who together take care of the almost 4 million freight drivers and tourist passengers who cross the Channel with DFDS every year.  We look forward to welcoming everyone onboard for a fantastic night of celebration, which is made all the more special to us as this year we celebrate the 25-year anniversary of the opening of our Dover to Dunkerque route!’