Making their case at the Seawork 2006 exhibition in Southampton last month, where the SSA Pavilion served as a focal point for the industry, organisation President Brian Slade and VicePresident Alan Dickinson argued for a unified British effort to match continental rivals such as the Netherland's Conoship International, in which member and associated shipyards, designers, research organisations and other related companies, including financial institutions, present themselves and their collective capabilities to world markets under one umbrella.

The SSA view is that although military led shipbuilding is currently healthy in the UK, the cycle is unlikely to last more than another decade and, in the meantime, the neglected commercial shipbuilding sector should be revitalised to continue beyond the end of the military boom. The imperative is to set an agreed agenda through which shipbuilders, shiprepairers, ship recyclers and the related supply operations all benefit.

Speaking to MJ at Seawork 2006, Brian Slade said, 'A point to emerge from Seawork is that companies recognise the need to work together. The SSA wants to grasp the enthusiasm seen here and take it forward.'

'We want to focus on how to deal with a fragmented industry where individual company agendas are being pursued and learn how to cooperate to be able to take on bigger contracts than any one yard can do on its own.'

The first regional event was held in Sunderland earlier this month, sponsored by regional development agency One North East.

Given a positive response to this event, the intention is to establish a Marine Services Group based in the North East (Marine Northeast), set up mechanisms within the group, confirm regional capabilities in different sectors and present them to the shipping market, winning business for the region.

The SSA is keen to support such initiatives in other regions, from which a trans-regional UK Marine Services Group can eventually grow.

For further information or to participate, contact: SSA, Tel: 01784 223770, Email: office@ssa. org. uk, Web: www. ssa. org. uk