Email News April 2009
Foreword
Welcome to the August issue of email news. This month's issue looks at a range of important issues for marine businesses. It includes details of the new CWEB system, an online database that can be used for free by companies wishing to recruit staff as well as people seeking new employment. We also have updates on development projects such as Hythe Marine Park and Southampton Port. Read on to find out more...
Posted 2009-04-01 08:51:18
Isle of Wight MareNet event, Wednesday 22nd April 2009
Venue: UKSA, Arctic Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight
Marine South East will be partnering SEEDA, with the support of the Cowes Marine Cluster, to present a MareNet event on the Isle of Wight looking at possible marine development sites, issues and opportunities for marine companies. The event will offer the chance for an open forum session for marine businesses on the island to exchange views with the presenters.
Presenters at this event will include:
- Peter Cusdin, Development Director of SEEDA talking about SEEDA's waterfront sites around the Solent and particularly those in Cowes.
- Julia Pearson, SEEDA Area Manager & Chair of the Solent Waterfront Strategy Communications Group giving an update on the Solent Waterfront Strategy with special emphasis on the Isle of Wight: Planning, Economic and Skills aspects
- Phil Salmon, Isle of Wight Council Planning Group outlining some of the Council's initiatives and activities for marine businesses
- Rob Stewart, South Boats and Chairman of Cowes Marine Cluster will give a roundup of local issues facing the marine sector and where the public sector can help
- Jonathan Williams, CEO of Marine South East will lead an open forum, including how strategic waterfront sites should best be identified, secured and made available to marine businesses in future.
Registration for the event will begin at 4.00pm with presentations starting at 4.30pm. The evening will conclude with a networking buffet at 6.15pm.
MareNet events are free to attend but please be courteous and give us 48 hours notice of cancellation.
To register for this event please log onto http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/marenet, email admin@marinesoutheast.co.uk or call 02380 111590.
Posted 2009-04-01 08:00:46
Plans confirmed for Maritime Centre of Excellence in Southampton
Final planning permission has been granted to the University of Southampton and Lloyd's Register to undertake the first phase of the redevelopment of the University's Boldrewood Campus. This completes a key milestone in realising their joint vision of creating an integrated knowledge-based maritime community in support of both organisations long term strategies.
Confirmation came with the execution of a Section S106 agreement between Southampton City Council , Lloyd's Register and the University.
Lloyd's Register and the University remain committed to the Boldrewood development, but following a review of the planned programme for construction of the new building, it has been decided to postpone commencement of any new construction work as demolition work on the main building at Boldrewood will not be completed until the third quarter of 2011. The view has been taken that commencing construction following the completion of the majority of the demolition work is the sensible and prudent path to follow.
The rapid and significant deterioration in the UK economy has also created great uncertainty in the financial and property markets, as well as affecting the confidence that Lloyd's Register would have in choosing a contractor to deliver the construction aspects of their new building.
Richard Sadler, CEO, Lloyd's Register commented: 'It is important that we remove as much risk and uncertainty from our plans as possible. Our action to delay the start of construction will facilitate a much clearer view of the attendant risks in what we hope will be a significantly improved economic climate.'
'The important commitment we have made to the University of Southampton to jointly stimulate innovation and develop further direct co-operation will continue in the interim, despite the postponement in developing the Boldrewood site'
If you would like to find out more go to http://www.southampton.ac.uk/estatedevelopment/projects/mce
Posted 2009-04-01 08:38:39
Daedalus site under scrutiny by Gosport Councillors
Earlier this month Portsmouth News reported on a decision made by Gosport Councillors regarding the Daedalus redevelopment site. Gosport councillors delivered a no-nonsense message: We want employment – not housing – on a former airfield.
Gosport councillors sent out the request to the South East England Development Agency which has put forward plans to redevelop the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent.
Gosport council's policy and organisation board met to discuss the plans, which include up to 475 new homes - 275 above the maximum number allocated for the area by Gosport council.
All political parties agreed to advise SEEDA that there were 'significant concerns' about the level of housing planned for the site.
Before the meeting Roy Sutherwood, SEEDA spokesman, said that the plans which went in front of councillors last night weren't concrete and were only 'indicative' of how the development could take shape.
He added that any comments made by the council would be taken into consideration in drawing up the masterplan.
SEEDA is set to start work on the masterplan over the coming weeks and it is thought that it could be completed by the end of this year.
SEEDA showcased early plans for the site at a two-day exhibition in December last year.
- A hotel, businesses and key worker homes are proposed for the former HMS Daedalus in Lee-on-the-Solent.
- The proposals include a business park with particular focus on the aviation and marine sectors.
- There is also the potential for a marina off the Daedalus coastal slipway to rival Gunwharf Quays.
To see more of the plans and comment visit http://www.daedalus-seeda.co.uk
Posted 2009-04-01 08:10:46
Marine South East wins funding for SMART project
Marine South East has been successful in winning funding for its Sustainable Marine Transformation (SMART) project. The project is being funded by the Regional Development Agency, SEEDA, and by the European Union through its European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The project partners are Marine South East (Lead Partner), Manufacturing Advisory Service South East (MAS SE), Olive Consultancy and Business Link, through its Designing Demand programme.
Through its work with selected marine companies, the project will enhance the South East's economy by encouraging the adoption of sustainable design, production and resource utilisation practices.
The fundamental aim of the SMART project is to pilot, validate and disseminate an approach whereby marine sector businesses can achieve a combination of economic and environmental performance improvement, with resulting social benefits. This will be achieved through identifying options for product design and process innovation, particularly those offering both bottom-line benefit and environmental footprint reduction, and replicating these benefits within the wider population of marine sector businesses (numbering around 4,000 across the SE region).
The aims will be achieved through targeting waste reduction, resource efficient manufacturing and higher value-add employment through improved product design and production. Benefits will be maximised by stimulating measurable business improvement and promoting best practice and high-value, secure employment.
The 3-year project will:
- raise levels of knowledge and innovation across the marine sector in order to support more resource efficient business practices, boosting profitability and log term competitiveness;
- stimulate innovation and job creation in ecologically-driven marine sub-sectors;
- reduce the rate of growth of the region's ecological footprint whilst stimulating economic growth.
For more information, contact Stephen Sharp at Marine South East by emailing stephen@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2009-04-01 08:40:53
Business Link offers free guide to doing business in tough times
Business Link is offering UK businesses a free 24 page ‘Guide to doing business in tough times’. The booklet focuses on the measures which small and medium sized firms can take in response to the current economic downturn. The Guide offers practical suggestions in areas such as finance, planning, operations and customers.
The Guide offers tips and ideas for immediate action and recommends steps to take in the longer term. It also outlines further sources of information and online web tools available on the Business Link website.
Marine South East members can download the free 'Guide to doing business in tough times' at http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/docs/general/ or phone the Business Link regional marketing team on 01483 713343 to request a copy by post.
Deborah Wyatt, Business Link, explains, "Because we speak to hundreds of business owners and managers each week, we know that cash flow and finding new customers are top concerns. This short Guide has been produced with every day business issues in mind and gives some really practical solutions which can be implemented quickly and more ideas to support the business in the longer term."
Business owners can also book a business review 'Health Check' with a local Business Link Adviser. For more information, call 0845 600 9 006.
Posted 2009-04-01 07:56:49
5th Seawork Innovation Showcase goes from strength to strength
This year’s Innovation Showcase and Awards, which is being judged on the opening day of SeaWork on 16th June, will be co-sponsored by Marine South East and the University of Southampton.
The competition is open to Seawork exhibitors who are introducing and promoting innovative products, vessels, services or projects to the commercial marine sector. Each year at the Seawork Gala Dinner, the 'Spirit of Innovation' trophy is awarded to the overall winning entry to publicly reward the very best in innovation.
Located in a prominent area of Seawork's undercover exhibition area, the Innovations Showcase provides visitors with the opportunity to see at one time, in one place, new products, projects and vessels that have been introduced by exhibitors during the past 12 months.
To qualify for entry, nominated products or services must be genuinely innovative and new and have come to market in the 12 months prior to Seawork. There are six categories:
- Vessel Design & Construction
- Marine Electronics
- Safety & Survival
- Marine Equipment & Materials
- Marine Civil Engineering & Construction
- Diving & Underwater Technology.
This will be the 5th year that MSE has sponsored the innovation awards and showcase; the University's co-sponsorship this year reflects its collaborative partnership opportunities to assist marine companies develop new and innovative products and services. The University of Southampton has a long and proud tradition of maritime related research and business collaboration. From its highly skilled graduates and students to the expertise of its academic schools and first rate ship and yacht testing facilities - it offers a number of ways for marine businesses to develop innovative solutions to meet customer's needs.
The university hosts a number of professional Enterprise Units which work on prestigious marine projects. The Wolfson Unit, for example, has provided model testing and analysis services for a number of America's Cup syndicates as well as the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup Finalists (Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge).
To find out more about visit http://www.seawork.com/Whats_On/Innovations_Showcase or for information from Southampton University go to http://www.soton.ac.uk/business
Posted 2009-04-01 07:47:44
Business Buoyant as Ocean Business Doubles in Size
The ocean technology industry has this week played host to the 2009 Ocean Business exhibition, which has taken place from 31st March to 2nd April. It has again successfully combined business with a full series of social networking opportunities.
More than 2000 visitors were expected to descend upon the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton to take part in the event, which this year included:
- A sold out exhibition, close to double the size of 2007, and now with over 250 companies representing the world's leading ocean technology suppliers and service providers.
- A full three day programme of hands-on training and demonstration sessions
- A social programme with events planned for every evening aimed at keeping delegates and exhibitors together throughout the week
- An offshore survey conference addressing the technical and business issues facing the global field of offshore surveying
- A 3 day ocean career and recruitment event will offer endless opportunities within the ocean technology, marine science and offshore industries.
One of the workshops taking place at the exhibition is looking at Environmental Risk Management tools for water quality monitoring. It gave an overview of the state of the art and ongoing research projects in
environmental risk management, ranging from sensors to application tools to provide the information needed for implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
The workshop included a presentation from Jonathan Williams, Marine South East Chief Executive about the ongoing knowledge network on environmental decision support, EDSnet, and a presentation from BMT Cordah about their development of decision support tools for bathing waters and shellfish waters.
For more information on this and other future events go to http://www.oceanbusiness.com
Posted 2009-04-01 08:46:20
Funding for companies looking to develop business leadership skills
Through its Leadership & Management programme, Train to Gain is offering owner managers and company directors the opportunity to apply for funding to help develop business leadership skills.
This offer is available to companies in the South East with 5-250 staff. A qualified and experienced Leadership and Management specialist adviser will help you identify your own personal training and development requirements and offer a choice of flexible, tailored learning solutions to suit your individual and business needs. As part of the application process, companies will be provided with a tailored Personal Development Plan.
The learning programme can be funded up to a maximum contribution of £1000.
- the first £500 is available to managing directors, owner managers, and company directors and does not need to be matched.
- a further grant of up to £500, which must be matched funded, is available to any senior manager or the management team. This money can be put towards one or a combination of training, which could include:
- Higher Education qualifications (must be matched in entirety)
- Solutions provided by training providers
- Workshops
- Online training
- Training programmes
- Bespoke/tailored training options
- Peer learning
- Business mentoring/coaching
All training must have started and the grant claimed within 90 days of the grant being approved. All grants are exclusive of VAT.
Previous beneficiaries (same director/manager within the same organisation) of Business Leader funding are not eligible to apply. For more information call the Employer Hotline at Guildford College on 01483 448530 or e-mail employerenquiries@guildford.ac.uk
Posted 2009-03-01 20:53:45
CATIA for Yacht Design - Free Seminar, 30th April 2009
Venue: Southampton
Dassault Systemes has developed a CATIA CAD programme specifically for the marine market, containing functionality specifically aligned to the needs of the industry.
Intrinsys is now inviting companies to attend a free of charge "CATIA Seminar / workshop" where the product will be demonstrated in the context of the marine industry, followed by an opportunity for attendees to use the software for themselves.
This is a great opportunity to discover why so many people in the industry are adopting CATIA and to see what the software could do for your business.
Marine South East has recently been given permission to extend the CAD/CAM Project until 30th September and will be continuing to offer further CATIA Training with a subsidy if there is sufficient interest.
For more information and bookings please contact Angela Cairns by emailing acairns@intrinsys.co.uk or call 01908 278650/07718 679075.
Posted 2009-04-01 08:04:10
Free Solidworks courses on offer for marine engineers and designers
The Marine Regional Resource Centre, in partnership with the Marine South East CAD Training Pool, will be delivering Solidworks training to marine engineers and designers at Southampton City Football Stadium on the following dates:
SolidWorks Essentials: 3 Day course 20/21/22 April
SolidWorks Essentials teaches you how to use the SolidWorks mechanical design automation software to build parametric models of parts and assemblies, and how to make drawings of those parts and assemblies. The Drawings section of the course teaches you how to make drawings of SolidWorks parts and assemblies.
SolidWorks Intermediate: 2 Day course 4/5 May
Intermediate Part/Assembly Modeling teaches you how to use multibody solids, sweeping and lofting features, and the more advanced shaping capabilities
SolidWorks PhotoWorks: 1 Day course 22 May.
SolidWorks PhotoWorks teaches you how to quickly and predictably create photorealistic images that rival those of studio-based photography.
If you are interested in attending one or all of these courses email Ken Cast at the Regional Resource Centre Kenneth.Cast@Southampton-City.ac.uk . The course is delivered free of charge and will be run at City Training premises in St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton.
Posted 2009-04-01 08:13:39
Basic SolidWorks Training for marine companies next month
Southampton Solent University has been running internationally renowned product and yacht and power craft design degree courses for many years. Recent discussions with Marine South East have led to the roll out of a series of Solidworks orientated courses tailored to the needs of the design and marine industries.
The first course is a five day course using the basics of Solidworks and its application within the marine industry. This will run from 22nd to 26th June 2009 subject to having sufficient numbers. The cost will be £325 +VAT, though Marine Southeast is offering a 60% subsidy to companies working in the marine industry.
Also, advanced short courses will be offered as the numbers grow, with the potential to run a year long accredited SolidWorks program in the future. The qualifications would be the SolidWorks online exam and the University's own HE accreditation. This would then continue to a 2nd year intermediate level and then to a 3rd year more advanced level.
There is no costing on this second set of courses as yet but the University would appreciate suggestion and feed back as to your thoughts on having such a course with a qualification at the end of it.
If you would like to book a place for the initial short course, numbers are limited, please contact Neil Shorter on 02380319862 or ft.admissions@solent.ac.uk.
Posted 2009-04-01 08:36:39
The good, the bad and the funny - Green Blue wants your photos
The Green Blue, the joint environment programme for the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) and the BMF (British Marine Federation), is calling all boaters to send them their photos from out on the water for their new photography competition ‘The Good, The Bad and The Funny’.
Send in your photos of anything to do with the boating environment under the three titles - The Good, The Bad and The Funny and you could win a prize, maybe lunch with Dee Caffari MBE.
Be it a stunning sunset, a funny moment onboard the boat, a community clean up at your local club or something horrible such as a leaky oil drum, whatever you think fits, the team are looking for special photographs, recording the scenes that inspire you out on the water.
Sarah Black, The Green Blue Project Manager said: "They say a picture paints a thousand words so in our mission to promote good environmental practice to boaters and marine businesses, we are looking for some great photos to help us get our message across.
"We want to educate, inspire and motivate the public and the photography competition is an ideal way to create a sense of wonderment and fun that will move people to take action."
There will be prizes for all three categories - The Good, The Bad and The Funny with two age groups for each category, under and over 16's. There will also be an overall prize and a special celebration at Southampton Boat Show. Your winning photo may even feature on the front page of the RYA magazine or make its way onto the pages of the RYA and BMF websites!
Download the application form and rules of entry at The Green Blue website, http://www.thegreenblue.org.uk or email info@thegreenblue.org.uk . All entries need to be submitted by Monday 24 August 2009.
Posted 2009-04-01 08:08:22
Looking back at the IMarEST-hosted Russian Maritime Industry visit to the UK
The allocation of about 110 billion roubles to support the domestic shipbuilding sector in 2009 was announced by Russia’s Prime Minister Putin in St Petersburg on 6 March 2009. He also instructed that reform of the shipbuilding industry must be completed by April 1 in order to form the United Shipbuilding Corporation. The following week, a major Russian maritime delegation visited the UK, including representatives of the Corporation led by Professor Vladimir Alexandrov, Director General of Admiralty Shipyard in St Petersburg.
The visit was hosted by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), and sponsored by the American Bureau of Shipping, Aveva and the United Shipbuilding Corporation. It included an exchange of views with BVT Surface Ships in Portsmouth on various aspects of integrating different businesses and a day long conference on maritime and industrial issues.
The conference covered technology (innovation, ship design, and propulsion); skills and training; the global shipping industry; shipping finance; commercial aspects; regulation and management (e.g. steamlining) with a total of 23 speakers representing both sides, including UK sector leaders from international organisations, Government, industry, the financial sector and other key organisations. It was opened by the Head of the Russian Trade Delegation in London, Victor Spasskiy, and closed by the President of IMarEST, Professor Yoo-Sang Choo.
In a keynote address, Professor Alexandrov explained that the Russian shipbuilding industry incorporates 170 companies which between them they employ some 200,000 people.
By 2020 Russia plans to build some 1400 vessels including 26 icebreakers ranging in size from harbour icebreakers to a nuclear powered icebreaker; 27 research ships; seven offshore nuclear power plants for Northern regions; 40 gas carriers (including vessels with ice reinforcement); marine equipment for shelf development including 25-30 exploration and production platforms and 80-90 supply vessels and technical support vessels; up to 230 tankers (incl DWT over 70,000 t) such as bulk carriers, universal and multi-purpose vessels and timber ships; 25-30 seagoing passenger and freight ferries; up to 180 fishing vessels; and up to 750 other ships for upgrading the Russian fleet (river service ships and mixed river-sea-going ships, technical support vessels, domestic needs and state supervision ships, etc).
"We were delighted to host these important talks and to facilitate further understanding between the two nations at a time when we are celebrating our 120th anniversary," says Keith Read CBE, Chief Executive of IMarEST. "In addition to being key figures in the Russian shipbuilding industry, many of our guests are Fellows of IMarEST. We hope to repeat the success of this week by encouraging further such exchanges in the future."
If you would like to find out more email judithpatten@wwmail.co.uk
