Pioneering a sustainable, prosperous and digitally enabled ocean future
Ocean Futures
The Ocean Futures programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Government, Industry and Academia to work together to develop the South West regional economy, building on existing unique assets to create a world-class centre of excellence, whilst delivering the Maritime 2050 ambition to create a cleaner, digitally enabled sector.
The Ocean Futures programme will underpin the country’s maritime industry and therefore provide economic stability and prosperity in support of a globally engaged UK.
– Ben Murray, Director Maritime UK
Our vision
To create a global centre of excellence for the testing, development and manufacture of autonomy, digital and clean ocean technologies for the rapidly growing global ocean economy, as a key pillar of the country’s ambition to be a science and innovation superpower, with activity focussed on.
Autonomy
Leading the demonstration and integration of marine autonomous systems for applications in defence, offshore renewable energy, aquaculture and emerging ocean economy application, estimated to be a £103bn market by 2030
Digital Oceans
Transforming our understanding of the ocean environment and safeguarding future maritime operations with integrated digital marine communications
Maritime Net Zero
Leading the transition to safe and secure maritime operations that will embrace a variety of alternative energy sources bespoke to vessel type and operation
What we will deliver:
The marine sector innovation hotbed for the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport allowing for increased exports and foreign direct investment centred on new technological development
Global Centre of Excellence driving the shift to clean and safe maritime and an increasingly digitally enabled, autonomous maritime sector
Framework for business clustering and coordinated support for SMEs and micros to create new technology for established end-user needs leading to high-productivity growth
Highly visible anchor for high productivity regional employment–supporting Levelling Up by leveraging strengths to lead development of technological solutions for emerging opportunities
The Programme
Innovation
Skills
Partnering
Infrastructure
Impact
Latest News & Events
£7.5m innovation grant fund awarded to marine and maritime businesses in the South West
Government today announced that the South West region has been chosen as the country’s Marine and Maritime Launchpad. The Marine and Maritime in the Great South West Launchpad has been developed jointly by Ocean Futures, an international thematic cluster that...
Global innovator in marine autonomy expands into Freeport
International innovator in marine autonomy and defence contractor, M Subs, which operates in both Texas, USA and Plymouth, has signed a lease agreement to expand business operations into the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. M Subs design, build and operate crewed...
Marine Technology Centre puts city at forefront of innovation
lymouth Marine Business Technology Centre is bowing out on top after delivering an impressive set of results that puts Plymouth and South Devon at the forefront of marine innovation. The centre is a partnership led by Plymouth City Council with the Marine Biological...
Freeport welcomes new Chair and appoints permanent CEO
The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport has appointed Jan Ward CBE as its new Chair. Jan takes over the role, which has been held on an interim basis since May last year, from Adrian Bratt, Executive Director at Princess Yachts. Richard May, who has held the role of...
Funding to guide future autonomous marine tech
Plymouth’s role as a pioneering place for autonomous marine vessels and green technology has been given a financial boost from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The consortium led by the Council has been awarded £842,490 under the...
£1.2m invested in new Plymouth underwater communications network
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has announced that Smart Sound Plymouth is to benefit from a £1.2 million investment, to upgrade the offshore infrastructure and further enhance the unique proving ground for businesses to test, trial,...