SMI WWG Annual Seminar 2025

Wednesday 3rd September 2025

Time: 10:30am–4:30pm (followed by evening drinks and dinner)
Venue: 19th Floor, Informa HQ, 240 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8BF

SMI is delighted to announce the Annual Workboat Working Group (WWG) Seminar, bringing together stakeholders from across the UK’s workboat and coastal vessel community for a full day of expert insight, policy discussion, and real-world collaboration.

Chaired by Noel Tomlinson and building on the momentum of our online programme and WWG workstreams, this in-person seminar will explore the opportunities and challenges ahead for the UK supply chain in the design, build, upgrade and operation of small commercial vessels.

The agenda will feature contributions from government, industry, operators, and innovators - with three themed sessions focused on regulation, technology in action, and collaborative dialogue to shape future direction.

Programme Outline

Session 1: Regulatory Momentum – Setting the Direction
A strategic session featuring senior voices from government and regulators exploring policy direction, frameworks, and support to accelerate the decarbonisation of small vessels and strengthen UK supply chain capability.

• Keynote - Noel Tomlinson, BMT
• MCA Regulatory Updates and Forward Look: Supporting the UK Workboat Sector - Gwilym Stone, MCA
• NSO Pipeline and Procurement Update - National Shipbuilding Office 
• NSO Development of Centres of Excellence - Colette Munroe, National Shipbuilding Office

Session Two: Real-World Solutions – Technology Pathways in Action
Vessel operators and technology developers showcase the energy-efficient technologies currently being deployed on, or developed for, UK workboats. This session will highlight real-world applications, lessons learned, and innovation in action.

• Spotlight on NR Marine Services - Richard Thurlow, NR Marine Services
• Technology Showcase 1 – The Eco Boss Cap - Dr Suleyman Duman, EcoNavis Solutions
• Technology Showcase 2 - BareFLEET - Chris Huxley-Reynard, AST Reygar

Session 3: Disrupt or Be Disrupted: What Will Sink or Save the UK Workboat Industry?
An interactive panel discussion featuring a panel of technical, design and operational experts who will explore the true forces of disruption reshaping the UK workboat sector - not only in technology, but also in business models, regulation, customer expectations, and global competition. This session looks beyond today’s challenges to explore where the industry must head next. Taking a cross-cutting, 360° view across the supply chain, it is designed to provoke urgency, challenge assumptions, and inspire fresh thinking.

• Moderator: Noel Tomlinson, BMT
• Panellists:  Richard Thurlow, NR Marine Services,  James Donald, Mainstay Marine Solutions,  Dr Thomas Beard, BMT,  Tristan Matthews, Alfa Laval

For more information, please contact: Helen Stephen via helen.stephen(at)maritimeindustries.org