The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI)
Member Zone Newsletter Signup
  • Home
  • About
    • The Management Team
    • What We Do
      • Business Overseas and in the UK
      • Research, Technology & Innovation
      • Improving the Business Environment
      • Networking Opportunities
      • Marketing & Other Services
    • A Brief History
      • The Award Fund
      • Donald Maxwell Student Award
      • Marine Science & Technology Business Person of the Year
    • Governance
      • The Board and Honorary Officers
    • Testimonials
    • Maritime Links
      • Privacy
      • The Management Team
      • What We Do
        • Business Overseas and in the UK
        • Research, Technology & Innovation
        • Improving the Business Environment
        • Networking Opportunities
        • Marketing & Other Services
      • A Brief History
        • The Award Fund
        • Donald Maxwell Student Award
        • Marine Science & Technology Business Person of the Year
      • Governance
        • The Board and Honorary Officers
      • Testimonials
      • Maritime Links
      • Privacy
    • Membership
      • Membership Benefits
      • Member Zone Registration
      • Join Us Enquiry
      • Membership Benefits
      • Member Zone Registration
      • Join Us Enquiry
    • Directory
    • Specialist Groups
      • Commercial Marine Group
        • CMG Council
        • CMG News
      • Digital Technology Group
        • DTG Council
        • DTG News
      • Maritime Autonomous Systems Group
        • Understanding and Valuing the MAS industry
        • Shaping the Future MAS Workforce
        • Influencing the Maritime Regulatory Framework
        • Providing value to MASG members
        • MASG Council
        • MASG News
      • Maritime Defence & Security Group
        • MDSG News
      • Marine Science & Technology Group
        • Annual Review of UK Marine Scientific Industries Survey
        • SMI MSTG Business Person of the Year
        • MSTG Council
        • MSTG News
      • Ports & Terminals Group
        • PTG Council
        • PTG News
      • Commercial Marine Group
        • CMG Council
        • CMG News
      • Digital Technology Group
        • DTG Council
        • DTG News
      • Maritime Autonomous Systems Group
        • Understanding and Valuing the MAS industry
        • Shaping the Future MAS Workforce
        • Influencing the Maritime Regulatory Framework
        • Providing value to MASG members
        • MASG Council
        • MASG News
      • Maritime Defence & Security Group
        • MDSG Council
        • MDSG News
      • Marine Science & Technology Group
        • Annual Review of UK Marine Scientific Industries Survey
        • SMI MSTG Business Person of the Year
        • MSTG Council
        • MSTG News
      • Ports & Terminals Group
        • PTG Council
        • PTG News
    • News
    • Events
      • SMI International Exhibitions and Events
      • Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)
        • MAChallenge Rules and Regulations
        • MAChallenge FAQs
        • Video Submission Guidelines
      • DIT Events and Missions
      • SMI International Exhibitions and Events
      • Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)
        • MAChallenge Rules and Regulations
        • MAChallenge FAQs
        • Video Submission Guidelines
      • DIT Events and Missions
    • Resources
      • UK Export Support
        • How to get Exporting
        • Export Support Service
        • UK Export Academy
        • UK Tradeshow Programme
        • UK Export Finance
        • Internationalisation Fund
      • Document Library
        • Maritime Sector Newsletters
        • Public Consultations & Reports
        • Society of Maritime Industries Annual Members' Directory & Reviews
        • Braemar Seascope Sale & Purchase Reports
        • Clarkson's Monthly Shipbuilding Report
        • SEA Europe Archived Documents
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Useful Links
      • Terms of Use
      • UK Export Support
        • How to get Exporting
        • Export Support Service
        • UK Export Academy
        • UK Tradeshow Programme
        • UK Export Finance
        • Internationalisation Fund
      • Document Library
        • Maritime Sector Newsletters
          • EMSA Newsletter
          • ISCO Newsletter
          • ICE Newsletter
        • Public Consultations & Reports
          • UK Consultations and Reports
          • EU Consultations and Reports
        • Society of Maritime Industries Annual Members' Directory & Reviews
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Useful Links
      • Terms of Use
    • Home
    • About
      • The Management Team
      • What We Do
        • Business Overseas and in the UK
        • Research, Technology & Innovation
        • Improving the Business Environment
        • Networking Opportunities
        • Marketing & Other Services
      • A Brief History
        • The Award Fund
        • Donald Maxwell Student Award
        • Marine Science & Technology Business Person of the Year
      • Governance
        • The Board and Honorary Officers
      • Testimonials
      • Maritime Links
      • Privacy
    • Membership
      • Membership Benefits
      • Member Zone Registration
      • Join Us Enquiry
    • Directory
    • Specialist Groups
      • Commercial Marine Group
        • CMG Council
        • CMG News
      • Digital Technology Group
        • DTG Council
        • DTG News
      • Maritime Autonomous Systems Group
        • Understanding and Valuing the MAS industry
        • Shaping the Future MAS Workforce
        • Influencing the Maritime Regulatory Framework
        • Providing value to MASG members
        • MASG Council
        • MASG News
      • Maritime Defence & Security Group
        • MDSG Council
        • MDSG News
      • Marine Science & Technology Group
        • Annual Review of UK Marine Scientific Industries Survey
        • SMI MSTG Business Person of the Year
        • MSTG Council
        • MSTG News
      • Ports & Terminals Group
        • PTG Council
        • PTG News
    • News
    • Events
      • SMI International Exhibitions and Events
      • Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)
        • MAChallenge Rules and Regulations
        • MAChallenge FAQs
        • Video Submission Guidelines
      • DIT Events and Missions
    • Resources
      • UK Export Support
        • How to get Exporting
        • Export Support Service
        • UK Export Academy
        • UK Tradeshow Programme
        • UK Export Finance
        • Internationalisation Fund
      • Document Library
        • Maritime Sector Newsletters
          • EMSA Newsletter
          • ISCO Newsletter
          • ICE Newsletter
        • Public Consultations & Reports
          • UK Consultations and Reports
          • EU Consultations and Reports
        • Society of Maritime Industries Annual Members' Directory & Reviews
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Useful Links
      • Terms of Use
    Newsletter Signup

    How can the Natural Environment Research Council help you tackle sustainable maritime challenges?

    About NERC

    The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is the UK's leading public funder of environmental science. We invest public money in world-leading science, designed to help us sustain and benefit from our natural resources, predict and respond to natural hazards and understand environmental change. NERC wants to develop stronger relationships with both academics and businesses to make sure research and innovation can support the challenges you are facing. 

    NERC has a proud history of supporting researchers in identifying the issues that coastal and maritime communities in the UK face in a changing planet. For over 50 years NERC scientists have increased understanding of the environmental challenges facing these communities and are continually developing solutions to address them.

    NERC supports a wide range of research and innovation relevant to the maritime sector, in areas ranging from autonomous technologies to supporting the transition to Net Zero. In the article below we outline examples of how NERC-funded research has delivered benefits to the sector, and how you can engage with NERC’s Futures team to understand how environmental science can help you.

    Developing autonomous underwater technology

    Compact, low-cost marine vehicles which can gather data autonomously are proving a game-changer in clean-up, maintenance and many other sea-based operations. Central to their emergence has been the close, productive partnership forged between the NERC-supported National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and industry. NOC’s role in this partnership is spearheaded by the Marine Robotics Innovation Centre (MRIC), which provides emerging firms with space, facilities and opportunities to harness NOC expertise, and the Marine Autonomous Robotic Systems (MARS) team, specialists in developing, operating and maintaining marine-science vehicles.

    "We find within this openly proactive business cohort every opportunity to rub shoulders with associated marine industry innovators, developers, and operators, including current and future business partners.” Thales UK

    The tide of success stories coming out of MRIC includes AutoNaut Ltd. AutoNaut Ltd. joined as a small company but expanded quickly and attributes £1.5 million of its growth, directly or indirectly, to its engagement with NOC. After developing a prototype vehicle supported by a NERC-supported Small Business Research Initiative competition, the company produced a bigger version for international markets which has already seen use in BP projects and the Big Ocean Clean Up. According to the firm, without early, continued support from MRIC, it’s unlikely that AutoNaut Ltd would have gone on to become the commercially viable company it now is. NERC continues to actively invest in this space: exemplified by the recent investment in an unmanned surface vehicle for shallow and coastal areas which will assist in predictions of global sea level rise, funded in 2020 through NERC’s capital investment funding call.

    Conscious that capital investment is best complemented with capability building, NERC also continues to fund the Next Generation Unmanned Systems Science (NEXUSS) Centre for Doctoral Training. This initiative aims to develop the next generation of future science leaders in this area, as well as promoting knowledge exchange through placements at international research organisations and industrial and policy partners.

    Sensing change in the marine environment

    Digital technologies and associated data methodologies are fundamental to shaping the future of the maritime space; improving capability in areas from environmental monitoring to decision making. Accordingly, NERC funds a number of digital projects in this area, including a strong portfolio of active projects which consider the role of next generation sensors. For example, to combat the impacts of sea level rise on coastal and port defences,  Coastal REsistance: Alerts and Monitoring Technologies (CreamT) seeks to develop sensors monitoring wave overtopping on seawalls and collect data on waves entering public access areas. Meanwhile, underwater sensors have been used in multiple ways; for example, Underwater large-area high resolution monitoring by Distributed Optical Fibre Acoustic Sensors is using Optical Fibre Acoustic Sensors to detect, locate and quantify acoustic noise sources such as that of gas escaping through the seabed (particularly of relevance to sub-seabed carbon capture and storage).

    Understanding Net Zero Oceanographic Capability

    The drive to Net Zero is a priority for many organisations in the maritime sector, as exemplified by recent announcements from major companies such as Maersk. UKRI shares this goal with the objective of becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2040. In line with this ambition, NERC is seeking to identify the options for maintaining and enhancing its ocean science capability with a reduced carbon footprint. To underpin this ambition, NERC recently supported a forward-looking scoping study to move towards a net-zero oceanographic capability. In addition to informing the drivers, trends and needs of future oceanographic research, the project sought to understand the commercial technology landscape and identify the opportunities for NERC, as a vessel owner and operator.

    The project recently delivered its final report, presenting key findings on a number of topics including energy efficiency measures, green fuels and autonomous systems. The report highlighted areas where emissions can be reduced by driving energy efficiency, with “route optimisation, hull form optimisation, wind assistance technologies, advanced hull coatings…, use of green shore electrical supplies and even sustainable food policies” potentially reducing NERC vessels’ CO2e footprint by up to 25%.

    The report echoed many of the challenges and opportunities described in this newsletter; including how to make best use of the parallelisation enabled by ‘swarms’ of autonomous vehicles, how to support next-generation training for digitally-enabled, net-zero infrastructure, how to integrate of new sensor technologies into wider data platforms and how to redesign vessels to accommodate the increased fuel volumes associated with ammonia or hydrogen fuels. NERC is considering these and other findings to deliver a net zero oceanographic capability.

    Whether you are looking to deploy the latest marine autonomous systems, understand how data can inform your decision-making, or reduce your organisation’s emissions, NERC is keen to engage with Maritime UK members. Please email futures(at)nerc.ukri.org and we can explore how environmental science can inform, support and grow your business, and help you overcome the sustainability challenges of the future.

    You can also visit our website (https://nerc.ukri.org/) for more information on funding opportunities, events and success stories.

    News

    SB128164 (1).jpg
    19 May 2022

    Sir Ben Ainslie CBE - After Dinner Speaker at SMI Annual Dinner

    This year, we are very pleased to welcome Sir Ben Ainslie CBE as our after dinner speaker.

    18 May 2022

    Maritime UK launches Global Women in Maritime Series

    18 May 2022

    Oceanology International Americas and the Society for Maritime Industries shake hands on deal

    SEE MORE NEWS

    Become a member

    We promote the interests of UK based companies in the international market place and to governments

    Join US See the Benefits

    Newsletter Signup

    Keep up to date with all the latest news and events with our regular newsletter delivered straight to your email box.

    Sign Up Now
    25 May
    25 May 2022 – 26 May 2022

    MoD Market Awareness Event - Provision of Online Standards, Databases & Publications

    The MoD is inviting all interested suppliers to attend a Market Awareness event which is scheduled for Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th May 2022, using MS TEAMS.
    25 May
    25 May 2022 – 26 May 2022

    UK Ports Conference 2022

    The UK Ports Conference will provide you with a complete update on the UK ports sector. Identify opportunities for port growth and development and deliver solutions to overcome the primary challenges...
    31 May
    31 May 2022, 11:00 – 12:00

    Export Control and Dual-use Items Seminar

    SMI's Marine Science and Technology Group Council invite you to a seminar on Export control and Dual-Use items in the maritime sector.
    06 Jun
    6 Jun 2022 – 10 Jun 2022

    Posidonia - The International Shipping Exhibition

    Posidonia brings the whole shipping world to its exhibitors. The international shipping community attends in strength with national pavilions and thousands of visitors. But Posidonia is also home to...
    21 Jun
    21 Jun 2022 – 23 Jun 2022

    Seawork 2022

    SMI is partnering once again with Seawork, Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition, to host the SMI Shipyard Pavilion. The annual exhibition brings together over 7,600...
    06 Sep
    6 Sep 2022 – 9 Sep 2022

    SMM - Leading International Maritime 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. It’s here...
    08 Sep
    8 Sep 2022, 10:30 – 13:00

    Smart Sound Plymouth Seminar

    Gain an insight into what exciting projects the Smart Sound Plymouth are working on and get an update on their Wolfson Foundation funding. This Seminar will be followed by a networking lunch with the...
    21 Sep
    21 Sep 2022, 10:30 – 13:00

    Digital Twins in the Marine Science and Technology Sector

    Gain an insight into Digital Twins, their benefits and more specifically uses within marine science and technology. This Seminar will be followed by a networking lunch with the Marine Science and...
    18 Oct
    18 Oct 2022 – 21 Oct 2022

    EURONAVAL 2022

    EURONAVAL 2022, the biennial International Naval Defence & Maritime Exhibition and Conference, will take place from 18 to 21 October 2022 at the Le Bourget Exhibition and Conference centre in...
    24 Nov
    24 Nov 2022, 19:00 – 23:30

    Annual Dinner 2022

    The Society of Maritime Industries Annual Dinner will be held on Thursday 24th November 2022 at Drapers' Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, EC2N 2DQ. 
    14 Feb
    14 Feb 2023 – 16 Feb 2023

    Oceanology International Americas 2023

    The Oceanology International Americas event offers a leading forum where industry, academia and government share knowledge and connect with the North, Central and South American marine science and...
    04 Oct
    4 Oct 2023 – 6 Oct 2023

    Indonesia Maritime Expo (IME)

    Indonesia Maritime Expo (IME) is the most anticipated international event in Indonesia for the world’s maritime players, showcasing the latest in marine, workboat & offshore engineering and...
    SEE MORE Events

    Member Zone

    If your company is a member of the Society of Maritime Industries a number of resources are available for which a log-in is required.

    Login
    • Specialist Sectors
    • Council Minutes
    • Member Events
    • Register

    Resources

    Access a wide range of documents, consultations and newsletters which we feel will aid your business activities.

    • Document Library
    • Consultations
    • Newsletters
    • FAQ's

    Become a member

    We promote the interests of UK based companies in the international market place and to governments

    Join Us See the Benefits

    Newsletter Signup

    Keep up to date with all the latest news and events with our regular newsletter delivered straight to your email box.

    Sign Up Now

    Marine Autonomy Challenge (MAChallenge)

    This exciting challenge is open to teams of students studying at UK universities. The first phase involves a video submission and the finals take place in November this year. Each qualifying team will be provided with an industry simulator to enable them to build the autonomous behaviours required to achieve a series of challenges.

    Enter Now
    The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI)

    Society of Maritime Industries Limited 28 - 29 Threadneedle Street, London,
    EC2R 8AY

    UK Reg. No: 00883132

    T: 020 7628 2555
    E: info(at)maritimeindustries.org

    Maritime UK

    © 2022 Society of Maritime Industries Limited

    Design and Development by TM Designs using ConcreteCMS