SMI Weekly Newsletter 09/01/2025

SMI News

SMI Conference 2025 Early Bird Ticket Offer Ends Tomorrow!

Tomorrow, Friday 10th January, is the final day to get your tickets for the SMI Conference 2025 at a discounted early bird rate! Early bird member tickets are priced at ￡380, with non members priced at ￡480.?

?This year's event explores the 'Future of the UK Naval and Maritime Security Enterprise' across five sessions, covering opportunities in AUKUS, Critical National Infrastructure, lessons learned from the Civil Maritime Enterprise and more!

?The sessions are designed to be both informative and interactive, with extended networking breaks held between sessions to enable delegates to make those important connections.?

?As there are now just two remaining exhibition spaces for this year's event, we recommend interested parties contact the SMI Conference Event Team early to avoid disappointment. A number of sponsorship opportunities remain and full details can be found here. Agenda information and access to early bird ticket offers can be accessed by following the link below.?

Book Early Bird Tickets?

SMI Welcomes New Council Members!?

We'd like to extend our welcome and thanks to the newest members of the SMI Councils and the SMIFutures Board. We are delighted to welcome you all the role and look forward to working together over the coming year. Please see below for a list of new appointments.

?Commercial Marine Group

Adam Dennett of Spectec

Simon Graham of De Courcy Alexander

Christopher William Smith of the University of Exeter

Iain Ross of Briggs Marine

Maritime Autonomous Systems Group

Andre Burgess ?of the National Physical Laboratory

Kevin Daffey of Rolls Royce

?

Maritime Defence and Security Group

Tom Trent of Ultra Maritime?

Ports and Terminals Group

Simon Graham of De Courcy Alexander

Pablo Jimenez of Royal HaskoningDHV

?

SMIFutures New Board Members

Ian Johnson of RNLI?

Duncan Henderson of Rolls Royce

Exhibit at Nor-Shipping 2025 as part of the UK Pavilion

?Nor-Shipping 2025 takes place in June 2025. Held in Oslo, rated the world's fifth most important maritime city, Nor-Shipping is widely regarded as one of the most significant events in the maritime business calendar and is a central site for conducting global maritime business.

SMI is once again organising the Nor-Shipping UK Pavilion, showcasing the capabilities of the UK maritime enterprise and providing a highly visible UK branded pavilion, along with promotional and networking support to exhibitors via a programme of tailored events. This is a fantastic way to stand out in a busy exhibition environment and draw greater levels of footfall and engagement with potential customers.? ?

Time is running out to book UK Pavilion space! We have a limited number of exhibition stands available, along with more affordable meet and greet pods.?

Book your space

UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) Roundtable

?With the Government seeking views on proposals to extend the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) to the maritime sector from 2026, SMI will host a roundtable discussion online with members about its official response on?13 January 2025 at 2.00 pm.

If you’re interested in taking part to this roundtable, please email Giorgio Buttironi (SMI Policy & Research) manager?here.

Member & Partner News

Government Procurement Opportunities for the Shipbuilding Enterprise?

• Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) – Defra – PIN (For information) The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert potential technology suppliers to an opportunity in relation to the Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) programme. Defra intend to run an open tender to procure REM technology and services. This procurement will be specific to the early adopter vessels volunteering to join our programme. https://lnkd.in/eXTwY9Be
• Future Air Dominance System (FADS) - RFI - Market Engagement – MOD – RFI (For Information). The Future Air Dominance System (FADS) Team within Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("the Authority") is seeking to engage with suppliers for the purposes of gaining a clearer understanding of current market capabilities and potential offerings which may be relevant to FADS. https://lnkd.in/eHgHzYhS
• HMS CASSANDRA Wreck Survey – MOD – Contract Notice (For Information). This contract is for the provision of services to conduct a wreck survey of HMS CASSANDRA. The survey shall determine the condition of the vessel and the likely amounts of pollutants/ammunition remaining onboard. The survey shall comprise a visual and multibeam echosounder (MBES) examination of the wreck with hull thickness measurements using a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). https://lnkd.in/ez5vYvq3

Maritime Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group Conference 2025 - 15-16th January 2025

There's still time to sign up to the MASRWG Conference 2025. Now in its 10th year, the event will take place virtually and is hosted by UKI Media and Events. This year's conference will deliver presentations on a range of themes powering current conversations in maritime autonomy, including but not limited to:?

• UK Maritime Policy
• The Use of Simulation in MASS
• Multimodal Operations and How MASS Fits
• Building trust in Autonomous Systems – A view from the sky with the Civil Aviation Authority
• Large Language Models & Machine-Readable Data
• Towards Approving the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Maritime Sector
• MASS and Remote Operations
• Development of a Behavioural Markers System for Human-Machine Team
• MASS Operations in Port Areas

Learn more about the event on the dedicated MASRWG Conference webpage.

View the MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice (Version 8).

Delegates can also sign up to the conference directly using the link below.?

Register to attend

Clarksons Research Global Shipbuilding Review 2024: Largest Order Intake For 17 years

Clarksons Research have released their latest annual review of shipbuilding markets, including full year 2024 data points, tracking key developments across a strong year for the shipbuilding industry.

Summarising the annual review, Steve Gordon, Global Head of Clarksons Research, commented:

?"With the largest order intake in 17 years, 2024 was an incredibly active year for the global shipbuilding industry with contracts totalling 66m CGT and $204bn placed. Container (4.4m TEU of orders), gas (25.9m cbm) and tankers (53.9m dwt) were the “stand out” segments while China consolidated its lead position, taking two thirds of orders, and is the only major producer expanding?capacity."

SMI members can download the report from the SMI Member Zone below.?

Find out more

The Future of UK SHORE - Shaping the Future of Maritime Event: 27th January 2025

The Department for Transport invites you to attend The Future of UK SHORE Event in London in on the 27th January 2025.?

This event will provide an opportunity to explore the future of the UK SHORE programme beyond March 2025.

Join the event to:

• Gain insights into the latest funding opportunities and support available for maritime innovation.
• Network with industry leaders, policymakers and innovators.
• Explore potential collaborations and partnerships to drive sustainable maritime solutions.
• Understand how you can contribute to the UK’s net-zero goals.

Find out more

Lloyd's Register publishes 'Fit for 55: Managing compliance and optimising operations under the EU's new regime' report

Following entry into force of the FuelEU Maritime regulation last week, Lloyd's Register has updated its ‘Shipping and Fit for 55’ report with extensive expertise from our regulatory, advisory, and vessel segment teams. The report provides valuable insights into the key steps necessary for compliance and strategic considerations to optimise your exposure to shipping’s first emissions pricing mechanism.

Find out more

Exail expands its photonics expertise with the acquisition of Leukos

Exail acquires photonics company Leukos, which specialises in advanced laser sources for metrology, spectroscopy, and imaging applications. Leukos brings over 20 years of expertise in developing high-tech products, including pulsed micro-lasers, supercontinuum laser sources, and ultrafast fiber lasers.

Find out more

ICE Marine Design Awarded FPSO Contract with Bluewater

?Bluewater Energy Services B.V., a leading owner and operator of Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, has awarded ICE a fast-track front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for hull engineering of the Aoka Mizu FPSO. This is ICE’s second substantial FPSO-related contract in 2024. It adds to ICE’s track record of about 45 FPSO projects (conversions, new construction and various technical studies), including earlier also for Bluewater.?

Find out more