Page 56: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2015)

COUNTRY REPORT

A chat with

John Murray,

Chief Executive,

Society of Maritime Industries which can only be feasible through the are huge developments taking place in UK ency. “There were lots of red dots all across

The Society of Maritime Industries extensive use of autonomy.” waters and by 2020 there will be around Britain, and that really hit home with a lot is the voice of the U.K. maritime

While SMI, its leadership and member 10GW installed providing 8-10% of the of our Parliamentarians,” said Murray.

engineering sector, and its Chief companies are well in tune with the cy- UK’s annual electricity requirements.” Globalization and legislation has been the

Executive John Murray is the very clical nature of the various markets they While investment in the U.K. Navy is far impetus for many of the drivers, producing public and indelible face of the or- serve, Murray is quick to point out that from tops in the world, Murray maintains opportunity and challenge in nearly equal ganization. SMI promotes and sup- the four big drivers are all ‘big picture’ that the UK still has a substantial naval ship measure. “If I take just one example, prior ports the interests of organizations items, meaning that while they will ? uc- and submarine build program. More im- to the global ? nancial shock shipbuilding with activities and interests in this tuate due to near term events, they are all portantly, perhaps, has been the realization was in the ascendency in many regions, sector both to its membership and solid pillars for growth, citing renewable in political circles of the depth and breadth at unsustainable levels it has to be said, the wider world. In total it is a trade energy and the current low price per bar- of the Navy shipbuilding program to all of which opened up market opportunities,” association of more than 150 orga- rel of oil as leading examples. England, and not simply the coastal areas. said Murray. “This has slowed substan- nizations across the maritime, off- “Those who believe that the rapid fall “We have made tremendous inroads” (into tially but increasing environmental legis- shore energy, subsea, naval and ac- in the price of oil will put a damper on the minds of government), said Murray. lation is creating a new opportunity which ademic sectors, and the society has the need to seek more environmentally “Politicians now are realizing the econom- many UK companies are in a position to been busier than ever, as a number sustainable sources of energy are delud- ic impact as well as the jobs impact.” He exploit. Innovative technology is the key of drivers have buoyed the prospects ing themselves,” said Murray. “In Europe noted that it was only ? ve years ago that and the need to increase R&D investment of all matters maritime in the U.K.

there is a legislation to ensure govern- there was a real threat to the progression of has been recognized in recent years by the ments take steps to raise the share of ener- the U.K. aircraft carrier program. To aid the UK government which has been support-

Four Key Drivers

The issues driving the maritime and gy consumption produced from renewable education effort, SMI produced a map of ing the maritime sector through technol- offshore sectors in the U.K. are similar to resources to 20% by 2020. Currently there Britain illustrating supply chain constitu- ogy funding competitions.” many drivers to the larger global maritime world, as Murray points to four key driv-

Long Endurance Maritime USV ers as keys to business, present and future: • Autonomy • Climate change (and the need for ‘green’ ships and renewable energy) • Research & Development, and • The U.K. Navy business.

“(When I say autonomy, I mean) au- tonomy both in terms of automation in the operation of ships and other mari- time equipment and autonomous devices and systems in respect of the demand to lower the cost of ocean surveys and de- risk defense and security operations,” said Murray. “Furthermore there is the requirement to extract mineral resources

Image courtesy ASV from the ocean, such as deep sea mining, 56 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • JUNE 2015

MR #6 (50-57).indd 56 MR #6 (50-57).indd 56 6/8/2015 11:07:49 AM6/8/2015 11:07:49 AM