The Belfast Maritime Consortium which is led by Artemis Technologies has joined Maritime UK, the umbrella body and collective voice for the UK’s £46.1 billion maritime sector.
The consortium’s application for membership was unanimously approved by Maritime UK’s National Council.
Artemis Technologies will engage fully with Maritime UK’s work programme, including being supported in developing the regional cluster through Maritime UK’s Regional Cluster Development Programme.
Iain Percy, Chief Executive Officer of Artemis Technologies, said:
“As the lead organisation within the Belfast Maritime Consortium, which recently secured a £33 million UK Government innovation grant, announced in June, joining Maritime UK is an important next step in developing our new advanced maritime cluster.
“Together with investment from within the consortium, the grant allows us to embark on a £60 million project that will see an initial 125 research and development jobs created, leading to more than 1,000 in the region over the next 10 years.
“This work is fully aligned with the priorities of Maritime UK and will be enhanced by their ability to champion the sector further at the heart of government.
“We believe a maritime revolution is coming which will herald a new wave of zero-emissions vessels designed to meet the global carbon challenge and see Belfast once again take the lead in the development and construction of the most advanced ships on the planet. We are incredibly excited to be part of that revolution and to maximise the opportunity this represents.”
The Belfast Maritime Consortium encompasses both established and young firms, academia, and the local government, including: Belfast Harbour, Bombardier Belfast, Northern Ireland Advanced Composites Engineering (NIACE), Creative Composites, Energia, Catalyst, Invest Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Belfast Met, Queen’s University, Belfast, Ards and North Down Borough Council, and Belfast City Council.
Harry Theochari, Chair of Maritime UK, said:
“We are delighted to welcome the Belfast Maritime Consortium into membership. Our members were impressed to receive a presentation from Iain Percy of Artemis Technologies and to see for itself the world-leading and innovative work they are engaged with to deliver zero carbon emissions ferries.
“There could be no better demonstration of our commitment to tackling the challenge of climate change within the sector than by bringing such a significant new grouping of businesses aboard.”
Ben Murray, Director of Maritime UK, said:
“Belfast has a rich shipbuilding heritage and access to Northern Ireland’s talented workforce in advanced manufacturing. Belfast Maritime Consortium’s membership of Maritime UK will further deepen our activity across the United Kingdom and give us access to a cluster organisation right at the cutting-edge of new innovation.”