UK maritime strategy seeks to stimulate growth

The Maritime 2050 Call for Evidence, which closes on 16 May, is inviting comment from the industry around several themes fundamental to the growth of UK maritime – technology, trade, infrastructure, environment, people and security/resilience. As part of the strategy, a series of objectives will be set so that progress against each of these themes can be scrutinised.

“Major ports are already investing significantly in technologies like autonomy and digitalisation that will be key parts of the port of the Future. Ports will be a foundation of the 4th industrial revolution as surely as they have been in previous step changes,” said Tim Morris, chief executive of the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG).

Planning for challenges

The Maritime 2050 strategy aims to set out the challenges and opportunities to allow the Government and the UK shipping industry to plan for the long-term and encourage economic growth by giving certainty to investors.

It is expected to include digital advances which can help make shipping more efficient, and cover the use of low-drag paint to reduce fuel consumption.

In addition to the new strategy, UK Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, has also announced the appointment of a group of experts, including Lucy Armstrong, chairman of the Port of Tyne and Sarah Kenny, chief executive of the BMT Group, to help advise on the future of maritime including new technology such as autonomous ships and digital ports.

Alongside the expert panel, the Department for Transport is also encouraging UK maritime sector partners to submit innovative and ambitious ideas to secure the UK’s maritime future.

More information from: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/maritime-2050-call-for-evidence

By Anne-Marie Causer