Member Article

Marine industries highlighted in BIS showcase

The Government has launched its first marine industries showcase, highlighting the industry’s multi-billion pound contribution to the UK economy.

Held in association with the UK Marine Industries Alliance, ‘Marine Manufacturing - Global excellence and innovation’ will highlight the industry across five key areas, including leisure, naval, marine energy, commercial and marine science.

Business Minister Mark Prisk, who is also co-Chair of the Marine Industries Leadership Council, will tour the showcase to meet with business leaders and see for himself some of the latest examples of modern marine technology, innovation and design.

He said: “Worth approximately £10 billion a year to the UK economy and employing over 90,000 people, the marine industries sector makes an important contribution to UK PLC.

“Taking the maritime sector into account too, which includes shipping, ports and business services, that figure grows to £17bn.

“Last year the Government launched a strategy for growth for the UK marine industries, which working with the maritime and marine services sectors, will help bolster that contribution from £17 billion to £25 billion a year by 2020. That offers fantastic growth prospects for businesses and people.

“What we want to demonstrate with this showcase is that there are real and exciting opportunities in this sector to build careers, and be a part of something that helps place Britain as one of the world’s leading manufacturing nations.

“It complements our Make it in Great Britain campaign, which is working to change the perceptions of modern manufacturing and challenge views that we don’t make anything in this country anymore.”

Richard Sadler, Industry co-Chair of the Marine Industries Leadership Council and Chief Executive of Lloyds Register, said: “Our strategy unifies the marine industries behind a common cause for the first time. Achieving our goal of growth across the marine industries will be much easier if we coordinate our actions.

“This will lead to more effective training and skills development, cooperation on new technology, and an improved regulatory environment, amongst other things.

“We really appreciate the opportunity that the Minister and his Department have given us to show what we can do. I call on all UK marine companies and stakeholders to join us in our endeavour.”

The showcase will feature exhibits from A&P Group, Marine Current Turbines and Aircraft Carrier Alliance amongst other maritime companies.

Exhibits promise full scale Williams jet tender, models of Marine Current Turbines tidal turbine and Houlder offshore access system, Fairline powerboat and Pendennis superyacht models and a full scale Sonardyne seabed sensor.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .