sector

Maritime and Ports

The maritime & ports sector is the gateway to some of the biggest challenges facing the world today, and presents innovation opportunities to deliver sustainable, equitable growth for our communities and economies.

Mark Wray

Ecosystem Director – Maritime & Ports

Decarbonisation

With Climate change being the challenge of our time and 95% of all UK trade reaching us through shipping, see how we are working alongside industry on its journey to Net Zero.

A view of Port of Tyne with several cranes, cargo ships, and industrial structures along the water, set under a cloudy sky, highlights the potential for green shipping innovations.

Project / Clean Tyne Shipping Corridor

The project will develop a roadmap for a green shipping corridor from the North East to support the maritime sector’s transition to net zero.

Report / Aberdeen Port Zero: Zeroing in on Future Sustainability

Person in a high-visibility vest using a tablet near green industrial pipes and infrastructure.

Report / A bright future for the UK’s Freeports

A maritime innovator with a beard wearing a blue shirt gestures with his hand to form a circle around his eye, standing in a workshop filled with various tools and machinery in the background.

Article / Meet the innovator making waves in the green marine sector

Digitisation

The advent of 5G, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data open up huge opportunities for the maritime sector, see how we are transforming the industry to drive efficiency in operations, save cost and enable safer working environments.

Document / Maritime Accelerator 2023 Cohort Brochure

A group of people stand and sit on red seats on a boat, looking out at a coastal town and blue-green waters under a partly cloudy sky.

Case Study / The future of maritime autonomous vehicles

Logistics

The maritime sector is at the heart of the UK’s supply chain, see how we are bringing together SME’s and industry from across all modes of transport to drive standardisation, efficiencies and innovation across the logistics sector.

Opportunity / Freight Innovation Cluster

A waterfront scene along the Mersey with docked boats, historic red brick buildings on both sides, and a view of an ornate cathedral in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Project / Moving on the Mersey

Close-up view of a telecommunications tower with multiple antennas, cables, and wired equipment against a clear sky.

Article / How 5G is transforming the logistics sector

Making waves

Report

Maritime Innovation Flagship Programme: Future Fuels Blueprint

The maritime sector faces several challenges in transitioning to net zero fuel use. Joined up decarbonisation planning across key stakeholder groups is needed to enable the successful adoption of future fuels.

Opportunity

Enhancing Passenger Experience – AI in Transport Competition

Unlock the Potential of AI in Transforming the UK Transport Sector The Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with Connected Places Catapult, recognises the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of the UK’s transport system.

Report

Unlocking the Potential of Rates Retention for Freeports & Investment Zones

This paper sets out the potential for Retained Business Rates (RBRs) to be utilised to fund infrastructure or support on-site developments to accelerate economic growth in Freeports (FPs), in particular and where applicable Business Rates Retention (BRR) for Investment Zones (IZs) and their surrounding areas, as part of wider regional place based economic growth.

Innovation Imperatives