Email News August 2014
Welcome to the August 2014 Newsletter from Marine South East
If you would like to submit an article for consideration please email the text and a suitable image or logo to sj@mseuk.org
Posted 2014-07-30 12:30:39
Marine Competition Consortia Building Events, September 2014
A third Marine competition (possibly Vessel Efficiency III (VEIII)) is expected to open early next year, and a Marine Autonomous Systems (MAS) competition is due to open in October.
A series of Consortia Building Events for both of these competitions will be held to enable businesses to meet potential partners in these competitions.
There are currently three provisional dates and venues:
* 4th September 2014 - Plymouth
* 16th September 2014 - National Oceanography Centre, Southampton;
* 30th September 2014 - North (possibly Glasgow, Edinburgh or Liverpool).
To receive updates you can join the Vessel Efficiency Group at the following location:
https://connect.innovateuk.org/web/vessel-efficiency
Posted 2014-07-28 14:50:13
New funding competition for developing new technologies for marine autonomous systems
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), with the Technology Strategy Board are running an SBRI competition of £1.45M (inc VAT) to develop new technology solutions for coordinating a suite of marine autonomous systems (MAS) enabling tracking of dynamic features.
Strategic plans of both of these organisations call for new capabilities in marine robotics, for environmental research and for defence and security respectively.
The competition will run in two phases: Phase 1 will open on 2 September 2014 for feasibility studies for a maximum of 3 months up to a cost including VAT of £50,000 each.
After reviewing the outcomes of the Phase 1 studies, selected participants will be invited to apply for Phase 2 for the development of prototypes, which would be capable of undertaking demonstration missions at sea. It is expected that phase 2 will be in the region of £1.2M (inc VAT) and available for up to two selected projects for a maximum of 12 months.
Further details on how to apply for the competition, the background, scope and challenges to be faced are available at:
https://www.innovateuk.org/-/adaptive-autonomous-ocean-sampling-networks-aaosn-
A briefing session will be held for all applicants to provide the opportunity to discuss the requirements of the brief with NOC. It is planned that this will take place on 2nd September 2014.
Posted 2014-07-30 12:36:46
Halfway point for REMCAP; a project looking at ways to expand innovation and investment across a number of maritime sectors
Marine South East’s ‘REMCAP’ (Resource Efficient Maritime Capacity) project, aims to capitalise on the commercial opportunities that arise from increasing demand for maritime resource management.
The project is focused on expanding the capacity for innovation and investment across some key growth markets including offshore wind; ocean energy; aquaculture; and sea bed mining.
At the half-way point in REMCAP, twenty representatives from maritime clusters in Portugal, Ireland, Sweden, Lithuania, France and the UK gathered for a two-day General Assembly meeting at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton.
For the first 18 months of REMCAP the partners have been collaborating to produce:
* 'Regional action plans' for each participating cluster region, focused on alignment of regional priorities on growth potential in maritime resource efficiency; and equally on how each region's cluster could enhance its capability as a catalyst of innovation.
* A joint action plan shared by all the partner regions, highlighting the priorities for extending European innovation capacity in maritime resource efficiency; and to establish an evidence base in support of investment, comprising an assessment of innovation barriers such as access to finance, and identification of RTD priorities.
As the project moves into its second phase the focus moves onto developing a range of activities to implement the action plans.
These will include workshops to highlight innovation priorities and funding options, leading to consortium building to help companies diversify into these growth markets.
To learn more about REMCAP visit: http://remcap.eu/
or via social media at the following links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/remcapproject?fref=ts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?trk=my_groups-b-grp-v&gid=6526424
and Twitter: https://twitter.com/REMCAP_EU
Posted 2014-07-31 08:23:49
Marine South East develops growing interest in the Maritime Information Service sector
The market for maritime information services is growing rapidly, and Marine South East is actively involved in exploring how this market can best be exploited.
Satellite remote sensing and communications are key enablers of new services, and Marine South East is contributing to two maritime projects funded by the European Space Agency.
iPort is piloting advanced systems to maximise the efficiency of inter-modal container transport in ports. Haulage companies using ports in the UK, (including Southampton) and Germany will be invited to evaluate a demonstration system.
A presentation about I-PORT can be viewed at
http://artes-apps.esa.int/projects/i-port
Arctic IAP is piloting a range of satellite surveillance, tracking and data mining techniques to assist marine operations in arctic waters.
More information can be found on the ESA Project Information Page:
http://artes-apps.esa.int/projects/security/arctic-iap
To be kept informed about the project please join the 'Arctic IAP User Group'; you can apply to join the group at:
http://groupspaces.com/ArcticIAPUserGroup/.
Marine South East believes that many more such projects could be launched.
Jonathan Williams, Chief Executive of Marine South East commented, 'The need for high-value marine information services are expanding, for managing our ocean resources and for operating our maritime assets like offshore wind farms. The Solent is uniquely well-placed to exploit this market, with its combined expertise in the marine and ICT sectors. We need to ensure that our research and innovation priorities reflect this potential.'
Marine South East is planning to set up business interest groups targeting key areas of opportunity in maritime information services. One such area is enhanced decision support for marine spills, to address concerns about optimising spill response in cold or very deep waters.
Posted 2014-07-31 08:39:50
Opportunity to join the BMF Apprenticeship Graduation Awards at the PSP Southampton Boat Show 2014
The British Marine Federation is inviting all apprentices who have completed their training in 2014 to celebrate their achievement at the 2014 Apprenticeship Graduation Awards 16th September, during the PSP Southampton Boat Show 2014.
The apprentices will have the opportunity to visit the show and attend the awards ceremony and networking reception where each apprentice will receive a certificate of achievement from the British Marine Federation. The Awards are complimentary for BMF member apprentices and a representative from the apprentice's company.
Amanda Simpson, Training & Events Manager at British Marine Federation enthused "We welcome all marine businesses that celebrate their apprentices graduation in 2014 to join us in this sector wide celebration. Apprentices make a huge difference to the workforce and are an important component to the future of the marine industry SME's skilled labour force. This event, now in its 4th edition is a fantastic event for the apprentices to understand the sector and encourage more young people to choose a marine related career. It also publicises the importance of how apprenticeships enhance workforce development in a time where manufacturing and engineering skills gaps have been identified".
For more information about the event contact Claire cwestbrook@britishmarine.co.uk
Posted 2014-07-30 18:21:26
Marine Distribution Guide for SME's
ICOMIA has published a marine distribution guide to assist emerging marine businesses around the world and outline the requirements that a manufacturer should look for in a distributor.
The guide has been developed by David Barrow, a well known marine industry professional.
Any company who is a member of the British Marine Federation can have access to the report which is free.
The report covers the following topics:
* Meet ICOMIA
* What makes a good distributor?
* Making the right decision and avoiding 'the wasted years'
* Do the homework on your product
* Accept it is a three year plan
* So, you still want to get into international
* Legal issues
* Sales strategies
* Boats or equipment, the rules are the same
* Starter-guide summary
as well as sections on:
* Distributor facilities and services
* Distributor and your brand identity
* Information and technology transfer
* Distributors form part of the value of your company good or bad
The International Council of Marine Industry Associations - ICOMIA - is the international trade association representing the global marine industry since 1966. ICOMIA brings together national boating federations in one global organisation and represents them at an international level, presenting a strong and united voice when dealing with issues challenging the industry
For more information visit http://www.icomia.org, info@icomia.com +44 1784 223 702
Barrow International is a marine marketing distribution business that has been working nationally and internationally, for over 25 years. The company is directed by sales and marketing expert David Barrow.
http://www.barrowint.co.uk
Posted 2014-07-31 08:11:11
Regional Growth Fund Round 6 offering grants for economic growth
The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a competitive £3.2 million Government fund operating across England to provide grants to private sector projects and programmes with significant potential for economic growth, leveraging in private sector investment and creating or protecting jobs.
RGF Round 6 opened in June with at least £200 million available to bidders. The deadline for applications is
30th September 2014. Projects raising private finance and creating or safeguarding jobs that require grants of over £1 million are funded directly. To date nearly 400 companies have obtained RGF funding in this way to get their projects off the ground or scale up their plans.
Previous RGF rounds have all been oversubscribed. Again in Round 6, Government will be looking to support the strongest bids which return best value to the taxpayer and generate sustainable growth. They will announce which bidders have been successful in early 2015. Grants will have to be claimed fully by March 2017, though the
projects or programmes can continue beyond that date.
Hence, those best placed to apply will be those with a project or programme in development that requires some extra funding to get started or reach its full potential. If you think your company or a business you support could benefit from this type of funding, follow the link to find out more:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regional-growth-fund-round-6-guidance-for-applicants-and-bidders
Marine businesses in the South East are encouraged to attend the external roadshow taking place at the University of Portsmouth on 6th August 2014
For more information on the roadshow event please follow the link:
https://www.gov.uk/understanding-the-regional-growth-fund
