Email News September 2009
Foreword
Welcome to the October issue of email news. This month's issue looks at a range of important issues for marine businesses. It includes details of a visit to Southampton by International Trade Minister Lord Davies, highlights of the Kent Skills Festival being held next week and the launch of SEEDA's new refit facility. Read on to find out more...
Posted 2009-09-01 12:29:36
Skills and training for marine companies explained - Marine Skills MareNet, Wednesday 30th September 2009
Venue: Unit 11, Hythe Marine Park, Hythe, SO45 6HE
Skills are one of the most important issues for marine companies but the skills and training landscape is complicated and difficult to navigate for many marine companies. To address this, Marine South East is organising a unique Marine Skills MareNet event, where there will be no presentations!
The event will take the form of informal round-table discussions where marine companies can voice their concerns and issues with a number of leading training and skills experts including representatives from SEMTA, The National Skills Academy, Business Link and others. Several highly relevant topics will be discussed including:
- Skills shortages facing marine companies e.g. Aluminium Welding / CAD-CAM
- Marine Apprenticeships
- Leadership and management skills for marine business leaders
- Funding & grants available for the marine sector
- Business improvement techniques - focusing on improving the productivity and competitiveness of marine companies
- Diplomas, NVQ's and skills for the marine industry
The event will be limited to around 25 marine companies. This is your chance to find out how skills and training can improve your bottom line. Please note that this event is not open to training providers and other associated organisations, it is a chance for marine companies to meet for a round table discussion.
There will be an opportunity for delegates to have a tour of the Hythe Marine Park and the 'Solent Refit' Superyacht refit and repair facility prior to the start of the event - with the tour starting at 3.30pm.
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
Alternatively contact Jin at Marine South East by emailing admin@marinesoutheast.co.uk or call 02380 111590.
Posted 2009-09-01 10:27:52
Marine South East joins with Italy and Spain to develop coastal renewable energy
WICO (Wind of the Coast) is a new project that Marine South East and partners in Province of Ravenna Italy and Diputacion Provincial de Huelva Spain have set up to promote renewable energy.
The project will identify and develop best practice in the public sector to promote successful large-scale deployment of renewable energy schemes. The aim is to maximise the benefits of wind power to the regional economy, environment and society.
The project started in July this year and will run until September 2011 as part of the European Interreg IVC Atlantic Area - POWER Programme.
The main goal is to exchange know how and experience of deploying large-scale renewable energy schemes along our coastlines. This would include the development of guidelines for the application of small wind systems.
Coastal areas offer a wide range of opportunities to produce wind, current and tidal derived renewable energy. The WICO partners have identified small wind systems as a technology capable of integration with other kind of renewable energy systems to exploit the presence of renewable resources like marine breezes.
Through engagement with policy makers and organisations with planning responsibilities WICO will develop guidelines designed to facilitate the development of policies to enable faster and wider deployment of small-scale renewable energy systems.
The project will also create a transferrable tool to allow both the sharing of technical information on 'new generation' systems and the knowledge required to overcome barriers to the wider use of this technology (policies, economic viability of applications, financial incentive systems, awareness, etc).
To find out more contact Simon Powell simon@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2009-09-01 11:45:53
New project looks at potential new short-sea shipping routes
Marine South East and the Port of Poole are representing the UK as partners in the recently launched PROPOSSE short-sea shipping project.
The primary aim of the project is to make an evidence based case for creating effective new short-sea shipping routes between the participating regions, which include Portugal (Aveiro), Spain (Gijón), France (Le Havre), Ireland (Cork) and the United Kingdom.
The project has come about due to the growing need to shift increasing amounts of freight traffic from the congested roads of Northern Europe on to alternative modes, including short-sea shipping services. Done properly, these new services could offer users reduced costs and environmental impact of their freight operations.
Through extensive interaction with the freight, shipping sector the project will look at the need and possible usage levels for such routes. Information gathered from the participating countries will be analysed to help identify where scope for new routes exists and if there is likely to be sufficient ongoing demand to persuade shipping companies to instigate and maintain them.
PROPOSSE is an EU co-funded Interreg project within the framework of the Transnational Cooperation Programme Atlantic Area 2007-2013.
To find out more email simon@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2009-09-01 11:33:41
New cross-border project will improve links between business and public sector innovators
A two year project involving two French partners in Brittany, Marine South East and Plymouth and Exeter Universities, has been launched to explore the role of innovation and knowledge transfer.
PROTTEC was launched in March 2009 and is funded by the EU under INTERREG IVA. It will be split into four work packages (WP1-4), with a partner leading in each.
WP1, lead by University of Plymouth, will determine the current situation with regard to regional strategies, partnership capabilities, technology transfer and innovation across the regions. This will include an analysis of innovation objectives relating to Higher Education Institutions, Public Research Organisations (PROs), business developers and local and regional bodies. Identification of these objectives will help develop a core set of targets for cross border activities within later work packages.
WP 2, lead by University of Exeter, will build on the information and data gathered in WP1 by developing a best-practice portfolio of activities, identifying in particular those activities which can be piloted cross-border and therefore contribute to regional and inter-regional innovation and economic growth. Discussion with industry should help to develop a programme of 'demand led' activities. Within the work package, cross-border initiatives will be examined and developed and pilot projects run to test cross border innovation activities.
WP3, lead by Bretagne Valorisation, will look at Strengthening Human Capabilities. The prime objective is to enhance the skills of people involved in innovation, entrepreneurship and the commercialisation of intellectual property. Seminars, training and summer schools will be used to disseminate the findings and strategies developed in WP2 to students and researchers to allow them to make the best use of their applied research. The partners will engage with technology transfer officers to provided them with the knowledge and tools to facilitate increasing the effectiveness of innovation projects.
WP4, lead by Ifremer, has two objectives. The first is to build on ideas and approaches developed in preceding work packages to develop a systematic approach to integrating PROs into regional innovative chains. This will involve reinforcing the relationships between PROs and regional innovation actors (government departments, Regional Development Agencies, technology transfer agencies etc) and increasing collaboration between PROs through developing better technology transfer strategies. At a practical level, 10 technological projects will have been identified by the project partners and from these, 3 will be taken to maturity.
The second activity within WP4 will be an exploration of Joint Industry Projects (JIPs), lead by Marine South East, with the objective of improving the efficiency of JIPs. This will entail gaining an understanding of the kinds of technology transfer that can be achieved through JIPs, which generally involve and are financed by groups of (usually) large companies, and how the structure of JIPs - in terms of participating companies, research organisations and facilitators - affects the outcomes. This will help to identify the structure required to achieve optimal performance. The role and funding of JIP facilitators will also be examined.
For more information, contact Stephen Sharp stephen@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2009-09-01 12:19:59
South East cruise ship industry hits high note
Over the recent Bank Holiday weekend Southampton reaped an estimated £8.5m cash windfall when nine of the world’s largest cruise ships arrived in the city.
It was a spectacular sight as onlookers witnessed the arrival and departure of the highest number of passenger ships during a 48-hour period in recent times. Southampton celebrated this success by offering tourists free open-top bus tours of the docks for a close-up view of the vessels.
A report for Southampton City Council says each passenger joining a cruise in the port generates on average £380 for the local economy, last weekend around 45,500 passengers embarked and disembarked the ships.
This isn't the only good news story for the cruise ship industry in Southampton. A major deal to make and fit thousands of cushions, bed throws and curtains for P&O's latest massive cruise ship Azura, being built in Italy, was recently awarded to Southampton-based Trimline.
The furnishings will be placed in 1,557 passenger state rooms and over 600 crew cabins. Trimline bosses are hopeful of landing further work on her before she sails on her maiden voyage from Southampton next April.
These latest wins show the huge importance the cruise industry has in Southampton. The City accounts for half the UK cruise market, with nearly one million passengers last year. Between 1995 and 2005, demand in Europe for cruising more than tripled and the growth is set to continue. From April 2010, the world's largest cruise ship - Independence of the Seas - is going to be based in Southampton all year round. It is estimated that having this enormous cruise liner based in Southampton will bring up to £50 million into the local economy.
Southampton is also one of the top cargo ports in the UK, handling around 40 million tonnes of goods each year. Southampton Port handles more trade for countries outside the EU than any other UK port. Worldwide, about 90% of exports are transported by sea - and despite the recession, world trade is expected to keep growing.
The South East boast a second big player in the cruise ship industry. In Dover alone, a third of the UK's cruise business is handled, it is estimated that in the coming year, cruising will generate almost £20million spend in the local area, supporting more than 200 jobs directly and indirectly in the port and in local tourism.
More than 75 per cent of passengers tell cruise ship operators that they want to make excursions when the ship calls into port, so it is vital to build partnerships with local tourist attractions. After all, passengers are visiting a port because of its culture and heritage - but they will only want to make these forays if they are made aware of what's on offer.
The Port of Dover is the UK's second busiest cruise port, berthing up to three vessels at any one time. The port is seeing year on year growth: in 2005 it handled 111 ships and 159,000 passengers and in 2009 it has handled 143 ships and 210,000 passengers with 170 calls scheduled for 2010.
Marine South East is currently talking to the University of Southampton about a possible study to define the supply chain supporting the cruise market.
To find out more email jonathan@marinesoutheast.co.uk
Posted 2009-09-01 11:14:39
Employers and employees already making the most of new skills database
A new system set up to match employers with skilled workers facing redundancy has already shown signs of success. Since we reported on this new project from Marine South East and the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium in last month’s email news, the system has already started to match employees facing redundancy with employers looking to capitalise on these potentially wasted skills.
This new database of job opportunities enables employers to post vacancies and employees at risk of redundancy to register their details. This results in a "shop window" where employers seeking to recruit can see those seeking jobs and vice-versa. The system is completely free of charge.
The initial need for the programme came about following the 9/11 attacks in the USA, when the aerospace industry imploded virtually overnight with job losses into the 10's of thousands globally. There was no dedicated mechanism in place to capture the talent pool of people leaving companies and redeploy them into similar or compatible jobs. In other words, highly skilled talent in most cases was lost to the sector for ever.
The aim is not to duplicate what is already in place, but to engage with employers who for whatever reason have kept clear of the whole "messy and complex" skills and funding arena. The project will help companies that have shied away from the benefits of public sector investment.
To find out more contact Richard Smith on 07791 722242 or 01962 771149, alternatively email richard.smith@wincon.co.uk
Posted 2009-09-01 10:36:27
New workshop on the water for Highbury College
Highbury College Portsmouth has recently increased its range of boat-building and marine engineering courses and as a result is expanding its facilities to include a workshop situated in Portsmouth’s Trafalgar Wharf, already a key location for marine and industrial businesses.
The new training facility is currently being refurbished to contain all the technical equipment needed to support the hands-on vocational training offered by the courses.
Martin Porter, Head of Automotive and Engineering at Highbury College, says: "It is an exciting opportunity. We had a good look around before deciding on this site but Trafalgar Wharf seems the perfect location for marine-based training. It has a strong marine history, being the former VT Halmatic site, and is home to a number of marine and industrial companies, as well as having access to the water.
"We teach both traditional skills plus newer, more modern techniques so students have a fully-rounded understanding of the subject of boat construction, maintenance and repair. So the workshop will be equipped for working with fibreglass and also have a full woodwork facility."
As of January this year, Highbury now offers a PEO (Performing Engineering Operations - Marine) NVQ Level 2, which includes both theory and practical work to give students valuable knowledge and insights into various aspects of the engineering and marine industry.
This first course has now been successfully delivered with a 95% pass rate and the graduate students are actively seeking employment within the industry.
The College is also running an Apprenticeship in Boat Building (Marine Engineering) and is aiming to run several more marine engineering courses in the next academic year, including a City and Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Boat Construction, Maintenance and Support- a work-related course.
Highbury College is now actively recruiting students to all of its marine engineering courses. For more information about courses at Highbury College Portsmouth, please call (023) 9238 3131 or visit http://www.highbury.ac.uk
Posted 2009-09-01 11:21:21
British Marine Federation secures key changes to the Marine and Coastal Access Bill 2009
The British Marine Federation’s (BMF) year long Parliamentary campaign has resulted in key victories on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill.
The BMF has successfully achieved a commitment by Government to consult industry on changes to the marine licensing regime, including the exemption of maintenance dredging activities. The consultation is now live and the BMF is calling for marine companies to submit their views.
The BMF has also secured assurances from Huw Irranca-Davies MP, the DEFRA Minister responsible for the Bill, on the Parliamentary record, that the proposed coastal path will not impact negatively on boatyards and marinas and that Natural England will have a duty to consult business owners where there is any objection to the route.
Despite a heated campaign by other lobby groups the BMF has also secured a continued commitment by the Government to take economic concerns into account when deciding on the areas to be declared as Marine Conservation Zones.
Commenting on the success, BMF Executive Director Howard Pridding said:
“The key gains achieved by the BMF on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill will ensure that this crucial piece of legislation will work in the best interests of the leisure marine industry.
“By working hard during the passage of the Bill and listening to what members wanted, the BMF has built political support and established a close and mutually beneficial working relationship with those responsible in Government. The Bill has significant implications for the leisure marine sector, not seen since the introduction of the Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) and the required lobbying effort from the BMF was similar to that put into the recent Red Diesel campaign.
“We can now look forward to taking advantage of the opportunities presented by this legislation, such as the establishment of a coastal path around the UK, confident that our priorities will be fully taken into account. However, we will continue to monitor and influence the detail of the ensuing secondary legislation to safeguard the future of boating and marine businesses.”
The Marine and Coastal Bill is ‘on hold’ over the summer until MPs return in October. It is expected to become law before the opening of Parliament in mid-November.
More information on the BMF’s viewpoint and its activity with regards to the Bill is available by going to http://www.britishmarine.co.uk/m&cabill
Posted 2009-09-01 11:27:46
September’s PSP Southampton Boat Show 2009 promises to be a visual spectacular
Record breaking PSP Southampton Boat Show opens in just a few days on 11 September, and already a great deal of time and effort have gone into the preparations for the Show.
Inspecting progress on the Show's purpose built marina Andrew Williams, managing director of organiser National Boat Shows and Frank Dixie, managing director of headline sponsor PSP were delighted with the results so far.
Andrew Williams from organisers National Boat Shows commented: "In all the excitement in the run up to the Show, we almost lose sight of how much time and effort goes into creating the PSP Southampton Boat Show. We forget that for the rest of the year I wouldn't be able to stand where I am now, and more importantly, neither would our visitors!"
For further information and to book activities visit http://www.southamptonboatshow.com
Posted 2009-09-01 11:50:20
Latest from Marine Industry Leadership Council (MILC)
In mid-July a two day workshop was held to begin the process of developing a marine innovation strategy and technology road map. This brainstorming session generated a list of market drivers which included headings such as “green shipping”, “safety & security”, “through life support” and “climate change and environmental legislation”. This has in turn been developed further to put together a set of performance requirements from which the technical criteria emerged.
The MILC Innovation and Technology Group also met in August to hone the report which will be circulated widely for consultation in due course. To find out more email info@maritimeindustries.org
Posted 2009-09-01 10:33:35
Marine Inspired Digital Design and Manufacture Seminar, Wednesday 16th September 2009 2-7pm
Venue: Solent University Main Reception and Lecture Theatres LT1 and 2
During the 2009 Southampton PSP Boat Show Southampton Solent University has joined with Marine South East to bring the marine industry an afternoon of top UK Digital Design and Manufacturing companies.
This marine focused event will have a selection of seminars and the opportunity to talk with experts, try out some of their state of the art software and equipment and see how this can work within your current design and manufacture process. The event will also provide companies with excellent networking opportunities.
Seminars will last approx 30mins and include the following topics -
- Rapid Prototyping
- 5 Axis Routing
- SolidWorks
- CNC programming
- Design Process
- Marine South East
- Composites
- Hand Laser Scanning
- Lean Manufacture
The event will include a bbq ticket. To confirm your place please book early as places are limited and free of charge email idc@solent.ac.uk or call (023) 80 319 862.
