July 2022

Maritime UK South West & Cornwall Marine Network (Sheldon Ryan/Paul Wickes)

Support and delivery of key regional events:

  • North Devon – floating offshore wind development in collaboration with the Celtic Sea cluster (13/05/22).
  • APPG – port infrastructure for floating offshore wind (Falmouth).
  • Supported a RNLI innovation event – end of June.
  • Clean Maritime Showcase Event – 16/06/22. 70 businesses gathered at MDL Marinas to hear about developments in clean maritime. The event was part of the Green Tech Boatshow which enabled the public to access clean marine products and services to make their boating more sustainable. Further details and links to presentations here: https://maritimeuksw.org/clean-maritime-showcase-event-presentations/
  • Future event: ‘Supply Chain Exchange’ (Dorset, 15/07/22) – an opportunity for businesses to collaborate and engage in cross-sector thinking to address supply-chain challenges.
Involved with two studies: supply chain opportunities in floating offshore wind and economic opportunities for clean maritime in the SW (offshore renewable sector).

Full business case for the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has now been submitted. More details here: https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymouthandsouthdevonfreeport

One year extension to the Devon and Somerset Innovation Programme has been agreed.

Concern amongst members that support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is potentially not ambitious enough, particularly in relation to the need for manufacturing support. A number of project bids have been supported: North Devon – innovation service focused on clean maritime (Appledore); ‘greening the economy’ in South Devon.

Ocean Futures (SW wide innovation service. Route clear as to how the service will move forward.

The University of Plymouth and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult have agreed to establish a new Collaborative Offshore Renewable Energy Subsea Systems (COSS) research accelerator. Based in Plymouth. Full details here: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/collaboration-accelerates-development-of-offshore-renewable-innovations

Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) supported the development of the Position Paper created by the Maritime Skills Commission: Skills for Green Jobs, launched in June 2022.

CMN and MSC are recruiting a new Green Skills development team, based in Falmouth, Cornwall, to lead on a number of new green skill developments over the next 24 months, with the new qualifications being trialled with businesses in the South West prior to national roll-out.

CMN will shortly be launching a number of employer-based training academies to provide central training locations to local maritime clusters across the County of Cornwall, helping overcome the cost and time of travel which is currently a barrier to many SMEs engaging with training and apprenticeships.

CMN subsidiary, the MOR Group (Marine Offshore Resources) has joined Celtic Sea Power. The MOR Group is developing a new website and will be re-launched during Q3.

CMN will shortly be launching a new low-cost fixed-fee recruitment service to help local marine businesses at a time when many are struggling to source new or replacement staff resources.

Mersey Maritime (Simon Eardley)

Fourth Mersey Maritime Exchange Conference delivered on 23 June 2022 at Liverpool Town Hall, in-person and online. Focus once again on Maritime 2050 and delivery of key priorities with panel sessions on the environment, people & skills, regional growth and technology and innovation. Keynote addresses were given by Robert Courts MP, Victoria Race (DfT), Mike Kane MP (Shadow Maritime Minister) and Sir Michael Bibby. 140 people attended in-person and at least 150 were present online.

The Liverpool City Region ‘State of the Maritime Region’ report (Cebr) was launched at an event on 23 June 2022 at Liverpool Town Hall. The report launch included contributions from Ben Murray, CEO of Maritime UK, Simon Reid, Head of Sectors at the LCR Growth Platform, Sir Michael Bibby Bt. DL, Non-executive Chair of Bibby Line Group and Mike Kane MP, Shadow Maritime Minister. More details here: https://merseymaritime.co.uk/cebr-report/. Headline figures are:

  • Maritime is worth £5 billion to the LCR economy through business turnover
  • Supports over 48,000 jobs
  • Expected to grow 7.2% in real terms between 2021-25
  • Productivity of workers: £93,301 (LCR maritime) v £56,670 (UK economy average)
  • LCR maritime has grown by 181% between 2010 and 2019.

Regular schedule of core ‘Face-2-Face’ events delivered over the period as follows:

  • April 2022 – Peel Land & Property
  • May 2022 – Members’ Forum (MD Fitout, Infinite Access, Complete Training Solutions)
  • June 2022 – MST (Marine Specialised Technology)
  • July 2022 – Hill Dickinson LLP.

Ongoing delivery of the regional cluster development programme work with a specific focus on the north east and the south east. On the latter a networking / engagement session has been arranged, hosted by Viking Maritime, on 20 July. A comprehensive engagement forum (focused on the regional cluster development programme and the people / skills programmes) will be held in Northern Ireland on 26 July 2022.

Other key events and engagement have included:

  • Technology and Innovation Forum with the Manufacturing Technology Centre – 30 March 2022.

Shadow Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP engagement:

  • Visit to Port Salford – 11 April 2022
  • Roundtable engagement with members of MM – 28 April 2022
  • Executive members of MM lunch – 28 April 2022.
Department for Transport innovation team visit to MM and viewing of Maritime Knowledge Hub project site – 26 April 2022.

Policy Forum with a focus on Freeports, both nationally and locally with Tim Morris (UKMPG) and John Lucy (LCR Freeports Director) – 27 April 2022.

Evidence session to the Transport Select Committee around their report into progress on the delivery of Maritime 2050 (both in-person and two forms of written evidence) – 11 May 2022.

Ongoing collaboration and delivery of the ‘Moving on the Mersey’ project in collaboration with the Connected Places Catapult (delivery via engagement sessions with members and other stakeholders).

The 8th iteration of the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIA) was launched on 06 July 2022. These will be held at Liverpool Cathedral on 10 November 2022 and is expected to be the largest yet coming as they do in the 20th anniversary year of the organisation. The focus for these awards is primarily on the Liverpool City Region / North West but there are also opportunities for businesses and organisations more generally to submit applications, particularly for categories such as the Maritime 2050 Award. Full details of the launch of the awards can be found here: https://merseymaritime.co.uk/mersey-maritime-launches-eighth-annual-industry-awards/

Scottish Maritime Cluster (Duncan Cunningham)

Scottish Maritime Cluster Board met on 10 May 2022. Considered the future sustainability of the cluster and recommended an increase in subscription rates from September 2022. The importance of a strong future communications strategy was emphasised and the Executive team will prioritise this in the months ahead.

The University of Strathclyde have shown interest in membership of the SMC.

Ongoing regular engagement with Scottish Enterprise has been productive in recent months.

Seminar with Rear Admiral Rex Cox on the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh (NSSR) took place at City of Glasgow College in May 2022. A follow-up session is planned.

Meeting of the Scottish Parliament ‘All Party Parliamentary Group’ held in late June 2022 – focus on the NSSR (initially).

SMC workshop focused on nuclear power is planned for October 2022. Details will be shared in due course.

Working to support Maritime UK Week via open days at ports.

Exploring options to support the Clyde Mission regeneration project, in collaboration with with City of Glasgow Council / the Scottish Government.

Funding opportunity arising out of a grant from the UK Government’s ‘Community Renewal Fund’ (confirmed at the end of 2021) has led to a bid to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to stimulate growth and enable community projects within the village of Tarbert and Tarbert Harbour. More details here: https://www.tarbertharbour.co.uk/post/ukcrf-tarbert-harbour-authority-investment-in-community-and-spaces  

Belfast Maritime Consortium (David Tyler)

Artemis eFoiler® showcase event held with over 150 guests present at Artemis Technologies’ new manufacturing facility in Belfast. Event included maritime experts, industry leaders and key stakeholders such as the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The event saw the launch of unveiled ‘Pioneer of Belfast’, Artemis’ workboat prototype which has recently been undergoing sea trials in Belfast Lough. More here: www.artemistechnologies.co.uk/exclusive-efoiler-showcase-event/

Artemis Technologies launches to market the world’s first commercially viable zero-emission 100% electric foiling workboats. More here: www.artemistechnologies.co.uk/worlds-first-zero-emission-electric-foiling-workboats/

Condor Ferries have joined the Belfast Maritime Consortium and will operate the world’s most advanced zero-emission commuter ferry service between Belfast and Bangor. The ferry service to commence in 2024 will act as a pilot scheme for the revolutionary fast passenger ferries currently under development by the consortium, led by Artemis Technologies. More here: www.belfastmaritimeconsortium.com/zero-emission-pilot-scheme-in-belfast

Belfast Maritime Consortium (BMC) workshop event with the Maritime UK / Mersey Maritime Regional Cluster Development Team on 26 July 2022 in Belfast. The event will be held in collaboration with Invest Northern Ireland and all stakeholders involved with the BMC have been invited. Other MUK colleagues, Chrissie Clarke and Lorna Wagner, will present on wider programme activities, including careers, skills and diversity initiatives.

Maritime UK Solent (Stuart Baker)

Development of the Maritime UK Solent brand and organisation continues with exploration of future sustainability and membership models.

Lorna Wagner has recently been appointed as Maritime UK Solent Programme Manager, commencing her position from August 2022.

Maritime UK Solent economic impact report undertaken by Cebr shows further growth and impact of the maritime sector in the Solent where it is now known to have a £7.7bn economic impact; employs around 200,000 people and represents some 25% of the overall Solent economy.

Joint working with the Connected Places Catapult: Solent Maritime Innovation Gateway. Deliverables for this project are now available. Independent assessment will be undertaken and identify the core opportunities for the future.

Maritime Innovation Hub opportunity for seed funding via the Solent Freeport.

MUK Solent Awards – inaugural event, 14 October 2022. Launched on 19 July 2022. More details here: https://solentlep.org.uk/muksolent/maritime-uk-solent-awards-2022/ Sponsorship packages available. Entries to the categories close on 26th August.

Roundtable on Ministry of Defence tendering process for SMEs and the National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh with Rod Paterson on 06 July 2022. Explored the experiences of UK based SME shipbuilders/supply chain to win contracts within the UK.

MUK Solent Business Plan is published here: https://solentlep.org.uk/media/4335/business-plan-final-approved-july-2022.pdf

Well attended maritime careers day, 09 May 2022.

MUK Solent attendance at Seawork, June 2022. Will have a strong presence at the Southampton International Boatshow in September 2022.

Freeport activity continues with final sign-off by Government expected this Autumn.

Finnish delegation hosted by MUK Solent in May 2022 (Scandinavian Maritime Cluster). Memorandum of Understanding signed which will see collaboration continue. Engagement included strong business-to-business activity.

 North East (Nikki Sayer)

Discussions around formalising cluster development continues with an aspiration to make further progress over the summer. This includes engagement with the existing Port Users Group, PD Ports and other stakeholders such as the Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen.

Teesside Freeport. £3bn investment across its sites within the region. Major projects include SeAH Wind’s £300million offshore wind facility and Net Zero Teesside Power’s gas-fired power plant with carbon capture, utilisation and storage capabilities. A £107million South Bank Quay is currently under development and when complete will support SeAH Wind’s monopile facility, the biggest of such in the world.

Promotion of skills focused activity remains a focus for partners in the region, including the NE School of Shipping (collaborative working between the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and Stockton Riverside College and Tees Valley Logistics Academy) with their school leavers qualification (presented by Nikki Sayer to the Regional Council meeting, July 2022). More detail around the work of the NESoS here: https://www.teesport.co.uk/careers/north-east-school-of-shipping/  

South East (Simon Eardley)

Regional cluster development networking workshop to be held on 20 July 2022. The event to be hosted by Viking Maritime Group in Dover. The Regional Cluster Development team have issued invitations across a broad range of potential stakeholders and interest is strong. It is intended that this will act as a springboard to increased activity and the establishment of an RCO in the region, precise geography to be determined.