The Future of UK Maritime: Skills, Technology and Sustainability

As part of London International Shipping Week (LISW), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency hosted The Future of UK Maritime: Skills, Technology and Sustainability at the House of Lords. With around 150 guests in attendance, the event was an opportunity to engage with experts across the MCA, highlighting why the UK is at the forefront of maritime regulations, innovation and technology.

An opening address from MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea shared updates on how the MCA ensures customers of the UK Flag receive dedicated and specialised service provided by technical experts travelling across the globe, and outlined how the MCA continues its collaboration with business, tackling the significant challenges facing the industry.

Updates were then provided from policy leads about their wide-ranging work, including initiatives to support future seafarers, the pioneering of alternative fuel options, and an overview of smart shipping and autonomous operations.

The ongoing success of the UK Flag and the advantages it offers to ship owners globally was the penultimate talk of the afternoon, before MCA Chairman Lord Simon Stevens brought the event to a close, acknowledging the UK Government’s dedication to seafarers, future fuels and ambitious decarbonisation targets. 

Chief Executive Virginia McVea said:

"The MCA is behind a breadth of work that is driving the evolution of the maritime industry forward, including advancements in navigation and drift modelling, the Maritime Safety Information service, Shipping Forecast, and paving the way for vessels running on alternative fuels.

"Our event at LISW has given just a snapshot of how the MCA is enabling industry and working towards a future that is sustainable, innovative and technology-driven, with the safety and welfare of seafarers a continued and key priority."

LISW continues with a range of events including Clean Maritime Day 2025, which will feature project displays, and industry-led and panel discussions on the future of clean maritime. Earlier this week, the Department for Transport announced £448m for the next phase of UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) funding and the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy.

Now in its twelfth year, LISW provides an opportunity for leaders, experts, and innovators from across the globe to showcase world-class advancements in the maritime sector as well as serving as a platform to discuss key issues affecting the constantly evolving shipping industry.