A new strategy launched today (24 January 2019) will set the UK
as a pre-eminent global test-bed of emerging technology, enabling
the country to capitalise on the economic potential of maritime
innovations.
The government has today set out its ambitions for the country to
remain a world-leader in the maritime industry for the next 30
years.
The Maritime 2050 strategy outlines a range of short, medium and
long-term proposals, including developing technology, people, and
infrastructure, to keep the maritime industry in the UK
flourishing.
These include establishing an innovation hub at a UK port by
2030, looking at ways to clean up emissions from the industry,
and building on the world-class training already offered to
seafarers.
Transport Secretary said:
Maritime is a vital UK industry, bringing in £14 billion to our
economy as well as providing thousands of new and exciting
careers for people across the country.
This strategy is a clear message to the world – we will
continue to be a leading maritime nation for the next 30 years
and beyond.
We will be at the forefront of emerging technology and seafarer
training and will capitalise on selling this expertise to
companies across the world.
New legislation will introduce a domestic framework for
autonomous vessels to enhance testing in UK waters. The Maritime
and Coastguard Agency is looking at what is needed to ensure the
safety of these and other ships. This will set the UK as the best
place to trial this technology which will then attract
international business and investment, providing a boost to the
economy.
The UK will also pioneer the use of virtual and augmented reality
in seafarer training as the government looks to establish a
Maritime Skills Commission, bringing together leading experts to
report in the existing and future needs of the industry – keeping
it at the cutting edge of tuition.
Hugh McNeal, chairman of the Maritime 2050 expert panel, said:
Over the last year it has been a privilege to chair the expert
panel which has brought together leaders from across the
sector, from other world-class industries, academia and
promotional bodies, to challenge and support the development of
Maritime 2050. The result is a wide ranging and hugely
ambitious blueprint for Britain’s future as a maritime nation
ensuring the economy continues to grow successfully into the
second half of the 21st century.
The recommendations published today will enable government and
industry to work together to increase trade, attract investment
and foster innovation across our thriving maritime sector,
while progressing clean maritime growth.
A government-funded ‘People like me’ project will challenge the
perception of the sector to attract more diverse talent. This
builds on the work of the Women in Maritime taskforce, which is
already working to increase the number of women employed in the
industry.
Harry Theochari, chairman of Maritime UK, said:
For the first time the maritime sector has a real long term
strategy – setting out what government and industry will do to
position the UK as the world’s leading maritime nation over the
coming decades in an increasingly competitive global context.
There are monumental opportunities for our sector – whether on
technology, coastal economic development, attracting more
maritime business to our shores or for the people that underpin
our success.
The global ocean economy will double in value to $3 trillion by
2030. Competitor maritime nations are hungry for the prize, and
Maritime 2050 will ensure that the UK is best-placed to
capitalise. The task of turning these ambitious recommendations
into reality rests on the strength of partnership between
industry and government. Industry is committed to delivery.
By 2030, the government will develop a Maritime Innovation Hub,
supporting new technologies while also boosting regional
productivity with new jobs. And later this year, a Clean Maritime
Plan will set out ways the UK will lead the way in green
standards to reach zero emission shipping as quickly as possible.
