Research, Technology & Innovation
Innovation is at the heart of UK industry competing in the global maritime sector. You cannot create products and services which are faster, better or cheaper without innovation. This is why we focus on this subject through all our work.
There is a continual drive to increase the funding for maritime innovation both from government bodies like Innovate UK but also to drive up awareness of private sector finance and investment options.
We are active on a number of fronts to assist members with collaborations and support in accessing funding. The Chief Executive currently represents the industry on a number of external bodies including the Working Group and Strategy Board of MarRI-UK and Chairs the Maritime UK Technology and Innovation Group.
The Technology and Innovation Group specifically liaises with government and its agencies, such as Innovate UK and its Knowledge Transfer Networks. This high level involvement enables us to influence future funding calls to the benefit of our members.
SMI supports Sheldon Ryan in his Maritime UK National Innovation role also supported by the Department of Transport. This role supports a programme of innovation awareness events and activities designed to bring together industry, academia and government.
MarRI-UK (Maritime Research and Innovation UK) has been created to strengthen the collaboration between industry, academia and government to meet the challenges and opportunities in the maritime sector. Initially set up with funding from the Department for Transport, Babcock International Group and BMT, MarRI-UK has adopted a membership model attractive to all sizes of UK companies with a desire to accelerate their innovation agendas to create world beating products and services.
It is key that members have the tools to collaborate with other companies and have access to the necessary funding in order to progress with their research and development within the sector.
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News
BMT announces exclusive partnership with BAE Systems for Anzac Class Design Support Contract
BMT is pleased to announce an exclusive partnership with BAE Systems Australia to bid for the future sustainment of the Anzac Class Design Support Contract, currently the subject of an open Commonwealth tender.
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Sign Up NowScaling Up Masterclass: Mastering Maritime Market Commercialisation for Growth and Global Expansion
Join this essential masterclass designed for companies ready to broaden their market reach and scale operations internationally.Nor-Shipping 2025
Nor-Shipping is an important meeting place for companies from across the entire maritime value chain and from around the globe. SMI will be organising and managing a UK Group Pavilion at...Seawork 2025
Seawork is Europe’s largest annual commercial marine and workboat exhibition, bringing together over 7,600 industry professionals, 10,500 items of equipment and services, together with over 70...DSEI 2025
Held at the easy to access ExCel exhibition centre every two years SMI has secured space in DSEI’s Naval Zone to support member companies. The Naval Zone at DSEI is an interactive...KORMARINE 2025
KORMARINE is the largest and most prestigious marine trade exhibition, fully supported by the world’s biggest Shipbuilders in Korea as well as leading international shipowners and offshore...Indo Pacific 2025
Attracting industry professionals from around Australia, the region and the world, Indo Pacific 2025 will see key players from the maritime and naval defence communities come together for three days...Europort 2025
Europort, organised in the world port city of Rotterdam, is the international maritime meeting place for innovative technology and complex shipbuilding. With an average of 25,000 professional...Marintec China 2025
Launched for over 40 years, Marintec China has become renowned as one of the most authoritative B2B platform for the International Maritime Industry. The 2023 edition of this biennial event...Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) 2026
APM (Asia Pacific Maritime) is the premier exhibition and conference in Asia showcasing a complete overview of the vessel sectors services and solutions, technology, vessel equipment, supplies, and...POSIDONIA 2026
Posidonia brings the whole shipping world to its exhibitors. The international shipping community attends in strength with national pavilions and thousands of visitors.SMM 2026 (Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology trade fair)
When it comes to meeting up with all the leading protagonists of the global maritime industry, there’s no place like SMM, one of the leading international maritime trade fairs.Sea Asia 2027
SMI will once again organise the UK Group Pavilion at Sea Asia in its role as the official Country Pavilion organiser. The event will return, bigger and bolder on 16-18th March 2027. To register...
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Sign Up NowMarine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)
This exciting biennial challenge is open to teams of students studying at UK universities.
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