Maritime

As an island nation the UK has traditionally been a leading player in the global maritime industry.

The maritime industry is critical to the UK economy with approximately 95% of all imports and exports transported by sea, including 25% of the UK’s energy supply, and 48% of the country’s food supplies. Maritime business services directly contribute £2 billion gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy; this is expanded to £5 billion GVA if the wider impacts of the sector are considered.

In addition to freight and goods movements the UK has a significant maritime tourism and leisure industry which was valued at £3.12 billion in 2017. The UK has a thriving and growing cruise sector with 1.96 million cruises sold in the UK in 2017, half of which started at a British port.

The UK is also a world leader in maritime services such as insurance, regulation and certification with London being the global hub for all such services.

 

Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition

To celebrate the success of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, Innovate UK Business Connect, on behalf of the Department for Transport and Innovate UK, has collated a series of videos into an online showcase highlighting all the innovative projects winning a share of the £23m funding. These projects represent some of the best examples of UK organisations being world leaders in clean smart maritime technologies of the future which will springboard the UK maritime sector’s transition towards Net Zero.

Browse the videos here.

Related Opportunities

European Space Agency: Maritime Decarbonisation through Autonomy

Apply by 28/2/25: applications reviewed when received

Maritime autonomous systems offer transformative opportunities to make the sector cleaner, more energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable.

More Information

European Space Agency: Maritime Ports Decarbonisation

Apply by 15/2/25: applications reviewed when received

ESA seeks to develop new services that support the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, with a focus on ports ecosystems.

More Information

European Space Agency: Space For Intermodal Transport

Open from 17/02/25: applications reviewed when received

Funding for European teams interested in developing sustainable space-based services and applications for intermodal transport, covering both freight and passenger transportation.

More Information

Related Case Studies

Singapore’s Opportunities for Maritime Innovation

Singapore’s Opportunities for Maritime Innovation

Related Events and Recordings

Mon
27
Jan
2025

The Future of UK SHORE - Shaping the Future of Maritime

10.00 - 17.00 GMT | London

Register for this event
Thu
20
Feb
2025

Smart Shipping Café Series

10.30 - 11.30 | Online

Register for this series
See all events

Related News

Cohort announcement for the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2024

03/09/2024

Cohort announcement for the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme 2024

Running for the fourth consecutive year, the Faraday Battery Challenge Investment Readiness Programme is going stronger than ever.

Read more
Decarbonising Ports & Harbours: Industry Insights & Vision report

29/03/2023

Decarbonising Ports & Harbours: Industry Insights & Vision report

This report is a collection of knowledge and insights shared by the Maritime & Ports Innovation Network and curated by our experts in the maritime transport and clean energy systems sector.

Read more
More News
Close

Connect with Innovate UK Business Connect

Join Innovate UK Business Connect's mailing list to receive updates on funding opportunities, events and to access Innovate UK Business Connect's deep expertise. Please check your email to confirm your subscription and select your area(s) of interest.