Hub Blog
16th May 2022
Uniting the maritime industry – a unique event with a clear vision for tomorrow
We like to set ourselves what we call ‘intentionally ambitious’, bold challenges at the Port of Tyne. Two years ago, we rose to a government challenge. Maritime 2050 had just been unveiled by the Department for Transport and the Port of Tyne responded immediately, opening the doors of the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub as the UK’s first centre of maritime excellence. Now, we are taking our vision for the industry a step further, launching the UK’s first ever Maritime Innovation Week in June 2022.
From the outset, our work through the Innovation Hub was intended to challenge conventional thinking. Challenge is what ‘floats our boat’, with collaboration and knowledge transfer being the inspiration and the driver behind Maritime Innovation Week 2022. Our mission in hosting this event is to unite the entire maritime industry around a clear opportunity - to become cleaner, smarter, more efficient, data-driven, innovative and sustainable. Collectively, we can future proof our maritime industry.
Maritime Innovation Week is a unique, whole industry conference that takes place from 13-16 June in Newcastle and London. It brings together some of the most innovative minds from both inside and outside of the maritime industry, to share insights, provide important cross- sector collaboration opportunities, plus debate of the industry’s most pressing topics.
Each day of Maritime Innovation Week will explore a different theme crucial to the fulfilment of the Maritime 2050 strategy. Expect to challenge convention and celebrate Industry 4.0 thinking, with streams that focus on clean innovation, future skills, digital transformation and knowledge transfer.
Hackathons are also running throughout the event alongside Innovation Live, a chance to secure start-up funding for your maritime innovation business plan by pitching to VCs and investors. It’s our version of Dragon’s Den and so it is fitting that we welcome the North East’s own ‘Business Dragon’, Sara Davies MBE to our event. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur and one of the UK’s most well-known investors, we are delighted to welcome Sara as a keynote speaker.
Exceptional events always attract exceptional speakers, and this is evident in our keynote line up. We’ve connected leading government figures with some of the commercial world’s most inspiring thought leaders.
During the four days of Maritime Innovation Week we will be welcoming Robert Courts MP, Minister for Maritime; Lord Grimstone, Minister for Investment; Steve Rader, US Aerospace Innovation Leader; Lucy Hedges, Technology Influencer and Journalist; Ana de Miguel, Marine Technology for the Department for Transport; Dr Stephanie Hare, Tech influencer and broadcaster; Warrick Matthews, Rolls Royce; Katy Knight, UK Shore; Matt Dunlop, V Ships; Tom White, Connected Places Catapult; David Cooper, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult; Graham Harrison, National Composites Centre; Ben Brabyn, Fintech Innovator; Angela MacOscar, Northumbrian Water; Richard Ballantyne, British Ports Association and many more. Maritime Innovation Week is also proud to be partnering with London Tech Week 2022 as a fringe event focusing on transforming the maritime sector – the only event on the LTW roster to focus specifically on the maritime industry.
Want to play a part in our industry’s future? Join us at Maritime Innovation Week.
Author: Dr Jo North, Technology and Transformation Director at the Port of Tyne.
Where to find us:
Days One and Two will be delivered at the Maritime 2050 Innovation Hub, whilst Days Three and Four will be held at Level 39, One Canada Square, London.
Agenda Overview: Maritime Innovation Week 2022
Day 1 theme: Clean Maritime Innovation, at Maritime 2050 Innovation Hub, Port of Tyne
The day will showcase ongoing developments in decarbonisation whilst delivering cross industry insights and funding and collaboration opportunities to drive the net zero agenda.
Day 2 theme: Fit for the Future, at Maritime 2050 Innovation Hub, Port of Tyne
During our second day at the Innovation Hub, we will be exploring the digital skills and leadership required to thrive in the maritime industry of the future.
Day 3 theme: Investing in Maritime's Digital Future, at Level 39, Canary Wharf, London
Our third day will highlight the role of digital innovation in the Green Industrial Revolution and in positioning the UK as a world leader within the maritime industry.
Day 4 theme: Learning from the Cutting Edge, at Level 39, Canary Wharf, London
Our final day will share insights from those continuously on the cutting edge of technology on making space for R&D, fostering innovation, and tackling technology transfer.
Want to find out more? Get in touch at miw@portoftyne.co.uk