Speech: Harry Theochari remarks at Maritime 2050 Parliamentary reception

Maritime UK Chair, Harry Theochari, delivered the following remarks at a Parliamentary reception to mark one year since the publication of Maritime 2050 on Monday 3 February 2020. 

Maritime 2050 is a once in a generation strategy. 

It sets our path – having been crafted by both industry and government - helping respond to major global challenges and to capitalise upon equally sizeable opportunities. Opportunities that will see our sector double in size by 2030.

We've been focused on delivery since we launched, with its route maps and programmes, Maritime 2050 is about action. Action by government, by industry, and by both in partnership.

And that's what, together with government, we've done.

On innovation we've established Maritime Research and Innovation and run two funding calls. Meaning we now have a truly national, cross-sector research and innovation vehicle for the sector. Based in Strathclyde with a growing number of hubs across the country, MarRI-UK means that we can harness the total value of the UK’s expertise and capability.

On the environment we've created the Clean Maritime Plan, industry has committed to net zero and MarRI-UK has run a clean maritime competition with some fantastic proposals coming forward. 

On people we've established the Maritime Skills Commission and a nationwide maritime careers campaign. We're broadening the Women in Maritime programme to Diversity in Maritime.

On competitiveness we've organised numerous trade missions including the UK-US Maritime Nations Forum aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth with the Royal Navy in Washington, created a joint five-year plan for maritime exports and investment with the DIT, and published a competitiveness study that makes credible recommendations to enhance the UK maritime business environment in a post-Brexit age.

And on regional growth we've created our regional cluster development programme with the launch of Maritime UK Solent and Maritime UK South West just last week, and we bring together different regions to share best practice and work together. We've also worked with government to establish Freeports as catalysts of economic development in coastal communities. 

On behalf of industry, let me welcome both returning and new parliamentarians. Maritime UK is holding the first of its regular parliamentary drop-in sessions in Parliament on Tuesday 3rd March from 13:00. With budgets and spending reviews on the horizon, we believe that the time for maritime is now.

Which other sector can support the new government’s ambitions like maritime? 

  • Levelling up through coastal economic development and private infrastructure investment
  • Boosting trade, exports and inward investment 
  • Meeting net zero through innovation and greening infrastructure 
  • Uniting our country by bringing all maritime nations and regions together to collaborate
  • All underpinned by high quality, well paid jobs of the future

All this can be delivered by this maritime sector, worth more to the UK economy than air and rail combined. 

It's been a fantastic first year for Maritime 2050 - let's make sure we keep up momentum.

Allow me to pay tribute to government, particularly the leadership of our Maritime Minister, Nus Ghani, and the tremendous team of civil servants in her department. Thanks too to our Maritime UK members for coming together to collaborate on delivering this flagship plan.

Events like this hold our collective feet to the fire and provide opportunities for others to get involved. 

At Maritime UK, with our trade bodies and regional clusters, we've prioritised 24 recommendations for immediate focus. We will publish these on the website including how you can get involved with supporting delivery.

We are a global, maritime nation. The country is dependent upon maritime, and we have a lot to do. But we’ve made a great start. Only by working ever closer together – within industry and with government - will we get there.