UK Docks joins the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI)

UK Docks Marine Services has joined The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), the trade association for the UK’s maritime engineering, science and technology community.

The membership represents an important step for both organisations and reflects a shared commitment to supporting the growth, innovation and long-term success of the UK's maritime sector.

It brings together the UK's largest independent family-owned ship repair and marine engineering business with the industry's principal representative body, creating new opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing and sector development.

For UK Docks, membership provides access to an influential network of maritime businesses, government stakeholders and industry leaders. For SMI, UK Docks brings extensive operational knowledge and experience from across the commercial and defence sectors.
 

UK Docks’ managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “We are impressed by the work the SMI do representing the maritime industry in the UK and internationally.

“And it is the right time for us to join this important industry body, and contribute to their mission of developing, growing and improving the British maritime industry.

“We are pleased to join and support them, especially as our own position in the UK maritime industry continues to expand and develop in both the commercial and defence sectors, helping them to strengthen sovereign UK maritime capability.”

The SMI is an established lobbying group which seeks to enable maritime organisations of all types and sizes to thrive.

Through its engagement with industry, government, defence stakeholders and international partners, SMI is established as an influential group, strengthening the competitiveness, innovation and global reach of the British maritime sector and supporting organisations of all types and sizes to thrive. 

It does this through industry, government and stakeholder engagement, annual conferences, overseas events, and trade missions.

The society supports members in raising their profile and developing meaningful collaborations, providing business and networking opportunities throughout the year.

With facilities in the North East and on the South Coast, UK Docks contributes extensive ship repair, marine engineering and defence-support expertise to the SMI membership community. The company's practical operational experience will complement SMI's strategic reach and support the shared ambition to expand UK maritime capability.

UK Docks’ directors experienced that support during a recent visit by SMI chief executive officer, Tom Chant MBE, to our headquarters in South Shields.

Tom was part of an industry-wide group which met to explore UK Docks’ current services, future plans and how the company, working with partners like SMI, could help benefit and support the country’s maritime sector.

As well as Tom, UK Docks welcomed South Shields MP, Emma Lewell, Thomas Knowles, the Royal Navy Regional Commander for Northern England and the Isle of Man, Susie Izumi from the Office of Investment and Lesley Hawke of the North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster (NERDSC).

The cross-organisational meeting demonstrated the value of bringing together industry, government, defence and regional stakeholders, identifying opportunities for investment, skilled employment and advancing maritime capability.

Tom said: "It was a pleasure to visit UK Docks and see first-hand the capability they bring to the UK maritime sector. As one of the country's major independent ship repair and marine engineering businesses, they make an important contribution to both commercial and defence maritime activity. 

"We are delighted to welcome UK Docks into SMI. Their operational experience and expertise will strengthen our membership community and help us continue bringing industry, government and defence stakeholders together to support growth, investment, innovation and skills across the sector.  

"We look forward to working closely with the UK Docks team in the years ahead.”

As a trusted advisor to the UK government, SMI looks to create new momentum for the industry as a whole. It has a unique perspective on how to create new levels of maritime innovation within its own diverse member community.

Membership takes effect immediately, with UK Docks and SMI working towards a shared ambition to strengthen UK maritime capability, supporting innovation, developing skills and creating opportunities for the wider maritime engineering community.