Maritime UK News
Maritime UK is delighted to launch the Maritime Future Leaders' Network, a new initiative aimed at supporting the next generation of pioneers in the maritime sector. Designed for ambitious young professionals who are aspiring to build successful careers in the maritime with a desire to expand their professional networks, establish connections, enhance their confidence, and contribute to a more dynamic and diverse maritime workforce. Nationwide initiative Through the Maritime Future Leaders'...
Maritime UK Week 2024 wrapped up with great success, showcasing the incredible advancements in the maritime sector and engaging thousands across the UK. Held from 7th to 11th October, this dynamic week featured a number of standout events, bringing together industry leaders, professionals, and the public to celebrate the maritime sector’s vital role. With a focus on cutting-edge innovation, sustainability, and exciting career opportunities, the week was a fantastic opportunity to explore...
The Naval Support Integrated Global Network (NSIGN) Programme has been established to deliver the future of in-service support to Royal Navy warships and submarines, along with maintenance and operation of the three Naval Bases. NSIGN will be a framework of contracts that will support all legacy, new-to-service and future platform types including modular solutions. NSIGN is now in the concept phase and within this, the Ships Engineering Project has stood up ready to continue with market e...
Maritime UK’s Chair Robin Mortimer and Chief Executive Chris Shirling-Rooke met with the new Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP and the Department for Transport team at Great Minster House in Westminster. Following the Minister’s recent appointment, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity for Maritime UK to discuss key priorities for the industry and raise the importance of focusing on growth and prosperity throughout the sector and in their coastal communities. Thriving marit...
National Maritime, in partnership with the University of Greenwich, will host a two-day conference and exhibition exploring sustainable practices and business opportunities in the maritime realm. The 4th Society & the Sea International Conference 2024 will take place on the 9th and 10th of September 2024 in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich. The theme of the conference is ‘To be truly blue, we must also think green: developing a sustainable blue economy needs b...
Sir Keir Starmer has been appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after the Labour Party secured a majority in the House of Commons in yesterday’s general election. Maritime UK’s Chief Executive, Chris Shirling-Rooke has shared his congratulations and also urged the newly appointed Prime Minister to prioritise the interests and economic prosperity of coastal communities in the Government's upcoming plans and agenda. In the Maritime Manifesto 2024, Maritime UK outlined its a...
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have emerged as significant priorities within the maritime industry's pursuit of sustainability. However, the industry's genuine commitment to embracing diversity, particularly concerning sexuality and gender, remains a topic of exploration. LGBTQ+: Beyond acronyms The LGBTQ+ community, comprising lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer individuals and many other inclusive identities, has long fought for societal acceptance. Historical taboos, social s...
This year, like any other Maritime UK is taking a stand to support women in the sector, urging the industry to get involved in Women in Maritime Day. International Day for Women in Maritime 2024 (18th May) celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector. Enhancing safety measures This day shines a spotlight on the progress of industry has made over the last year, but also the changes we as an ind...
The Port of Las Palmas is a key strategic mid-Atlantic maritime and logistics hub serving the offshore energy sector as well as ships sailing to and from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Lately, it has also been playing a vital role in refuelling vessels diverted around Africa from the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Maritime Week Las Palmas Maritime Week Las Palmas - the second edition of which takes place from 17-19 June at the famous Santa Catalina Hotel in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - will...
On 11th April 2024, Maritime UK was delighted to support the launch of the Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore Cluster Network (NIMO). The launch event, which was attended by Maritime UK’s patron, Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal, marked a momentous occasion for not only NIMO, but for the whole maritime industry across the United Kingdom (UK). Patron of Maritime UK, Her Royal Highness, spoke to over one hundred industry professionals, including representatives of port oper...
The vision and ambitions for this year’s Maritime Week Las Palmas were set out at an official press conference for the event. Speaking at the press conference, Puertos de las Palmas President Beatriz Calzada Ojeda announced that during MWLP a planned fuel spill drill will be carried out in the anchorage area of the port for the first time, while the Deputy Minister of Economy and Internationalisation, Gustavo González de Vega, who is also Vice-President of PROEXCA, highlighted the...
Plans to build a world class maritime centre of excellence, focused on innovation, engineering, R&D, entrepreneurship, and training at the heart of Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters, have been put on hold as Wirral Council says no viable plans to fund it have been brought forward. A report has asked Councillors at a Policy and Resources committee meeting on January 17 to remove the project from its regeneration programme ‘until such time as a viable scheme is brought forward for cons...
Maritime UK, the overarching organisation representing the maritime sector, is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and urging the industry to leverage apprenticeships to create a competitive and sustainable maritime sector. National Apprenticeship Week provides a platform for the education and skills sector to honour the accomplishments of apprentices nationwide, acknowledging the positive influence they have on communities, businesses, and the broader economy. Complexities of the s...
By popular demand, Maritime Week Africa (MWAF24) returns to Cape Town, South Africa, in January 2024 for its 16th edition, after a hugely successful event in January this year, which broke all previous attendance records. Maritime Week Africa, the longest-running and most popular bunkering event on the African continent, will bring together the highest-level industry and government speakers to deliver an information-packed conference focussed on the uniquely diverse African shipping, ener...
Maritime UK has launched Version 7 of the Industry Code of Practice for Maritime Autonomous Ship Systems. The accelerating pace of change in maritime autonomy has required updated guidance for those owning and operating Maritime Autonomous Ship Systems (MASS). Whilst not a legal text, the Code has been used by manufacturers, service providers, and others as part of their day-to-day work. Many manufacturers have reported clients requiring compliance with the Code as a basis for contractual negot...
On the 15th September, Maritime UK, in collaboration with Women in Transport and sponsored by Hill Dickinson, hosted an epoch-making summit that showcased early findings from the Women in Transport Equity Index Project. The Summit convened during London International Shipping Week 2023 at Hill Dickinson's City of London offices and spotlighted vital challenges and opportunities in gender diversity within the transport sector. Key Findings included: The majority of women in transport sector...
Isle of Man Maritime has joined Maritime UK, the umbrella body and collective voice for the UK’s maritime sector. The maritime industries come together through Maritime UK to make progress on key areas of shared interest. Maritime UK’s national priorities are people, competitiveness, regional growth, environment, and innovation. Isle of Man Maritime joins Maritime UK Isle of Man Maritime is the latest organisation to join the national umbrella body, Maritime UK Isle of Man Mariti...
Global maritime leaders sailed full steam ahead into London in their thousands to attend the biennial London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), which took place from 11th September to 15th September, 2023. More than 70 countries were represented by the 30,000 delegates, while a large number of overseas trade delegations met with UK Government officials as London and the UK underlined their importance in the global supply chain. London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) At the s...
With the ring of the London Stock Exchange bell, London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) is now officially open. Up to 30,000 maritime pioneers from across the world are joining decision makers and industry stakeholders in London to discuss and debate key issues impacting global trade, sharing experience and examining innovations. Overseas trade delegations UK Government Ministers are fully involved in the week’s events. The Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Mark Harper...
Coastal communities across the country are set to benefit from over £80 million of government funding as the winners of the Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure fund (ZEVI) are announced – supporting economic growth and boosting the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Announced at the start of London International Shipping Week (LISW) – bringing together the world leaders in the maritime sector – the projects showcase the benefits maritime technology can bring to comm...
Maritime UK, the collective voice for the UK’s maritime industries, has used the start of London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) to highlight the need for £2 billion private and public sector investment per year, in order to deliver its target to decarbonise by 2050, and further to support an ambition to become a global leader in decarbonisation. Securing this level of funding would help the industry decarbonise by developing green fuels, port infrastructure and new types...
Maritime UK, the collective voice for the UK's maritime industries, announces the departure of Janet Fallon, Commercial Director and recent Interim CEO. Janet leaves Maritime UK after a successful tenure, and they would like to take the opportunity to thank her for time and dedication. Appreciating Janet’s contributions Commenting on Ms. Fallon’s departure, Robin Mortimer, Chair of Maritime UK, said: "We extend our appreciation to Janet for her contributions to Maritime UK, both...
A new shipbuilding lending scheme has been launched which could create hundreds of UK jobs and contribute hundreds of millions of pounds to the UK economy. Government launches new scheme to help buyers purchase UK-built ships. Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme could create hundreds of UK jobs and contribute hundreds of millions to the UK economy. Part of £4 billion National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh plan to revitalise UK shipbuilding sector, which contributes £2.8bn a yea...
Representatives from across the UK’s maritime sector and shipbuilding industry have made recommendations to the government after assessing progress on a key strategy launched last year. The National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh, launched in March 2022, set out the UK Government’s vision for a productive, competitive and innovative shipbuilding sector. It set out a 30-year shipbuilding pipeline for cross-government orders, pledged to support green shipbuilding technologies and build...
The UK government announces a substantial commitment of £34 million in funding to support the maritime sector's development of innovative solutions and new technologies. The funding forms part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC), a vital initiative that aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon maritime sector while promoting economic growth. With the launch of this fourth round of funding, the total investment through the CMDC programme has now...
Technological innovation driven by a skilled workforce that is ‘fit for the future’ is critical to the future growth of the UK’s £116 billion maritime sector. That was the overall message delivered by speakers at the fifth annual Mersey Maritime Exchange conference in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Organised by Mersey Maritime, the event brought together industry and Government leaders in the industry. Mersey Maritime Exchange 2023 The Exchange used the Government’s...
Both the UK military and the £116bn maritime industry face the same tough challenges when it comes to recruiting the right people with the right skills for the next few decades. That was the clear message that came from the afternoon session of the fifth Maritime Exchange conference held in Liverpool. Organised by Mersey Maritime, the event brought together UK maritime leaders at the Tung Auditorium at the University of Liverpool. Decarbonisation and digitisation Two-panel sessions in t...
Maritime UK National Chair, Robin Mortimer, and UK Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, opened the inaugural meeting of the Maritime Council. The Department for Transport (DfT) set up the Maritime Council in May 2023 to oversee the delivery of recommendations outlined in the Maritime 2050 strategy, which was launched more than four years ago. The Maritime Council The Maritime Council will bring government departments face-to-face with industry stakeholders The Maritime Council w...
Mersey Maritime, a regional cluster organisation for the North West maritime sector, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ruth Wood as their Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st July 2023. Ruth Wood will be stepping-up to the role, following the departure of current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chris Shirling-Rooke who will be leaving Mersey Maritime to take up the position of Chief Executive of Maritime UK. Extensive maritime industry experience Ruth Wood has over 15 years&r...
Mersey Maritime has announced changes to its senior leadership, with Maritime UK, the umbrella organisation for the UK’s maritime sector, appointing Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Chris Shirling-Rooke will move over from Mersey Maritime to Maritime UK in the early summer and Maritime UK thanks Mersey Maritime for helping to facilitate a seamless transfer. Maritime UK appoints new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chris is currently serving as the CEO of M...