Innovation

Commercially-driven research and innovation

The OECD predicts that the ocean economy will double by 2030 to $3 trillion with key growth opportunities in high value marine manufacturing, offshore renewables, aquaculture and marine autonomy. The global autonomy market alone is predicted to grow to $136 billion over the next 15 years with the UK having a 10% market share. This, in addition to the opportunity presented by cleaning and digitising the sector, presents a rare economic opportunity for high-productivity growth for the South West.

Capitalising on our existing relationships, we will facilitate this growth as the centre-piece of Ocean Futures by creating a hotbed of innovation through a triple helix innovation model, with academia, industry and Catapults/Government departments all working together on future ocean markets, facilitated by Maritime UK South West.

Leveraging our assets, we will create a regional innovation programme to facilitate the growth of an ambitious and agile cohort of SMEs through translational research, skills development and data sharing, driving HEI/industry collaboration and investment in R&D, focussing on our
autonomy, digital ocean and marine net zero opportunity areas.