UK Marine Industries Strategic Framework launched
UK Business Minister Ian Lucas called on the marine industries to work together.
Ian Lucas, the UK’s Minister for Business issued a call to action to the nation’s marine industries last month to collaborate on their common goal of strengthening this sector’s global market position over the next 10 years.
As co-chair of the Marine Industries Leadership Council (MILC), a joint Government and industry body, the minister launched the UK Marine Industries Strategic Framework alongside Alan Johnston, MILC co-chair and managing director of BAE Systems Surface Ships.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said, ‘The UK’s Marine sector is a big contributor to our economy, but without industries joining up we can only get so far. Government, industry and stakeholders must all work together to maximise the sector’s full potential.
‘The challenge for the UK Marine Industries over the next ten years is to continue to build and maintain this diverse, world class sector and ensure it plays a key role in our future advanced manufacturing and low carbon economy. This framework sets the pathway to achieving this, but this vision can only become reality by the work of a committed, unified sector.’
The MILC’s vision for 2020, as set out in the framework, sees the UK marine industry exploiting its opportunities for growth, strengthening its international reputation and maintaining its competitive position globally
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Energy and Climate Change also announced £4m of funding for a marine energy project in the South West. These funds will help the University of Plymouth develop a marine building where researchers and enterprises can interact and collaborate. The Government is actively supporting the UK’s wave and tidal energy industry and has put in place the world’s most comprehensive suite of support. This includes up to £60m to support the development of marine energy in the UK.
The UK marine industries employ around 105,000 people and make a significant contribution to the UK economy. It is one of the few sectors in the UK that spans the lifecycle of the products from research, product development, concept design to manufacture, in service support and disposal.
The sector includes such activities as design, production, maintenance and disposal of platforms systems and equipment for naval, merchant and leisure vessels and support for all marine based renewable energy. The marine industry has an important part to play in our low carbon future, as maintaining offshore wind farms and wave power projects will need maritime support and low carbon transport will see more reliance on fuel efficient inland and short sea water transport.
Images for this article - click to enlarge
Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright © Mercator Media 2012. This does not exclude the owner's assertion of copyright over the material.
