Select Committee · Transport Committee

Maritime 2050: objectives, implementation and effects

Status: Closed Opened: 1 Mar 2022 Closed: 20 Jun 2023 21 recommendations 15 conclusions 1 report

The Department for Transport leads on maritime policy in government. Maritime includes the shipping, ports, services, engineering and leisure marine industries. Government strategy to support the maritime sector is set out in Maritime 2050: Navigating the future published in January 2019. Read the call for evidence for more detail about this inquiry .

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 HC 160 20 Mar 2023 36 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

16 items
2 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

To avoid confusion for the sector, the Government needs to more clearly distinguish between which...

To avoid confusion for the sector, the Government needs to more clearly distinguish between which Maritime 2050 recommendations are specific actions and which are aspirations. To ensure the continued success of the Maritime 2050 strategy, the Government should review the current recommendations and set out key performance indicators and targets …

Government response. The government agrees to review Maritime 2050 recommendations, set out key performance indicators and targets, and use the Maritime Council to review progress and agree on how to prioritize recommendations.
Department for Transport
5 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The Department for Transport should continue to fund the Regional Council and assist in the...

The Department for Transport should continue to fund the Regional Council and assist in the development of potential new regional maritime clusters while assessing the benefits of existing clusters for levelling up.

Government response. The government has provided £350,000 since 2019 to support the development of maritime clusters and will launch a development programme later this year to boost their effectiveness and governance, and is considering providing further funding to developing and emerging clusters.
Department for Transport
6 Conclusion Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The size of a ship register is a measure of the success of a flag...

The size of a ship register is a measure of the success of a flag state and a way to exert influence on standards and welfare across an international sector. We welcome the Government’s recognition that if the UK wishes to maintain its status, serious efforts must be made to …

Government response. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has a three-year Strategic Growth Programme that will create the conditions for the sustainable growth of the UK Ship Register and KPIs from the growth programme are being prepared and will be published later …
Department for Transport
7 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

As with other elements of Maritime 2050, adoption of a concrete target for growth of...

As with other elements of Maritime 2050, adoption of a concrete target for growth of the UK Ship Register would assist in concentrating minds on this goal. (Paragraph 42) 56 Maritime 2050

Government response. The government accepts the recommendation and states that the MCA has a three-year Strategic Growth Programme and KPIs are being prepared and will be published later this year. They will also review actions and determine the best approach to target …
Department for Transport
8 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

As an investment in the maritime workforce and a way to capitalise on the reputation...

As an investment in the maritime workforce and a way to capitalise on the reputation of UK maritime training, tonnage tax needs to retain its training link. (Paragraph 43) Environment

Government response. The government agrees that the training link will remain an integral part of the UK Tonnage Tax regime, has increased funding support through the Support for Maritime Training programme to 50% of cadets training costs, and is considering options to …
Department for Transport
9 Conclusion Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The maritime sector is global, and the UK cannot regulate it alone.

The maritime sector is global, and the UK cannot regulate it alone. To reach the Government’s net zero target, we welcome the Government’s commitment to live up to its world-leading maritime status and push for the net zero target at the International Maritime Organization.

Government response. The government agrees with pushing for the net zero target at the IMO and will publish the updated Clean Maritime Plan by the end of 2023, including indicative targets for the domestic maritime sector and details of existing and future …
Department for Transport
10 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The UK must have a defined plan for decarbonising the maritime sector with clear, measurable...

The UK must have a defined plan for decarbonising the maritime sector with clear, measurable targets for both home and abroad. The 2019 Clean Maritime Plan was a good starting point, but a more focused plan for achieving net zero in 2050 is now necessary. The industry needs certainty about …

Government response. The government will publish the updated Clean Maritime Plan by the end of 2023, which will include indicative targets for the domestic maritime sector and details of existing and future policy interventions.
Department for Transport
11 Conclusion Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The Government’s aim of becoming a world leader in developing clean maritime technologies is ambitious...

The Government’s aim of becoming a world leader in developing clean maritime technologies is ambitious and will aid the UK’s competitive advantage. There is an urgent need, however, to scale up and commercialise existing technologies, which may assist in reaching net zero more quickly. We believe this is an oversight …

Government response. The government agrees on the need to scale up and commercialize technologies and highlights the existing £206m UK SHORE programme and the £77m Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) scheme.
Department for Transport
16 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The Department for Transport should establish the Centre for Smart Shipping as soon as possible,...

The Department for Transport should establish the Centre for Smart Shipping as soon as possible, empowering it to work with the sector and with the Maritime Future Technologies Team to enable innovation to prosper.

Government response. The government agrees and plans to launch the Centre for Smart Shipping before the end of 2023 using funding from the UK SHORE programme to provide a coordinating function in new and emerging technologies.
Department for Transport
17 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The Government needs to act as a consolidator and facilitator to draw together disparate approaches...

The Government needs to act as a consolidator and facilitator to draw together disparate approaches to cybersecurity in the maritime sector. The 2017 Cyber Security Code of Practice for Ships should be updated as soon as possible. The Government should use its influence at the International Maritime Organization to set …

Government response. The government is taking an active role in bringing together cyber security activities to support the maritime sector, including developing technical guidance and engaging with stakeholders, as well as producing an update to the 2017 Guidance: Cyber Security Code of …
Department for Transport
19 Conclusion Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

A significant further challenge is a “scaling-up gap”, whereby new innovations are developed with the...

A significant further challenge is a “scaling-up gap”, whereby new innovations are developed with the help of research and development or seed funding, but making the leap to widespread use and commercialisation of those innovations is much more difficult.

Government response. The government states it already works across departmental boundaries to help SMEs, maximize maritime exports, and provides examples of existing programs such as the Maritime Capability Campaign Office, Help to Grow Management UK, and the Made Smarter programme.
Department for Transport
20 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

To help bridge the “scaling-up gap”, the Department for Transport should work with the Department...

To help bridge the “scaling-up gap”, the Department for Transport should work with the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to develop business skills support for SMEs in the maritime sector. Future iterations of the Technology Route Map should set out a clear …

Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation and outlines existing cross-departmental efforts to support business skills development for SMEs in the maritime sector, including the MCCO, Help to Grow Management UK, and the Made Smarter programme, as well as existing funding …
Department for Transport
21 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

We welcome the Government’s intention to call for evidence on planning and delivering infrastructure for...

We welcome the Government’s intention to call for evidence on planning and delivering infrastructure for the freight and logistics sector. This must include questions about the planning process and the hurdles that are being faced by the maritime and ports sectors in this area. We urge the Government to bring …

Government response. The government will publish the Freight Planning Call for Evidence this summer, encouraging ports to respond fully, and is working with ports to understand their highest priority connectivity needs and champion these, including holding industry workshops to identify potential low-cost …
Department for Transport
26 Conclusion Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The maritime sector is undergoing major technological changes, which has an impact on the current...

The maritime sector is undergoing major technological changes, which has an impact on the current and future skills requirements for officers, ratings and shoreside workers. It is critical that the UK’s maritime skills base keeps pace with technology and removes barriers to domestic training and employment opportunities for UK- resident …

Government response. The government notes the recommendation and outlines existing support for seafarer training through a Support for Maritime Training Fund, and refers to the Seafarer Cadet Review and Maritime Skills Commission's Ratings Review.
Department for Transport
27 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

To invest in the maritime sector, the UK must invest in its people.

To invest in the maritime sector, the UK must invest in its people. The Government should carry out a review of training funding in the maritime sector—establishing if there are barriers to access and how the system can be improved. This should include an assessment of the potential costs and …

Government response. The government notes the recommendation and outlines existing support for seafarer training through a Support for Maritime Training Fund, and refers to the Seafarer Cadet Review and Maritime Skills Commission's Ratings Review.
Department for Transport
34 Recommendation Fifth Report - Maritime 2050 Accepted

The Department for Transport in its own 2015 report advocated for both a cross- Whitehall...

The Department for Transport in its own 2015 report advocated for both a cross- Whitehall team and a Ministerial Working Group for maritime. We agree that these mechanisms would provide a helpful focus for collaboration to support the industry. To improve the interdepartmental understanding of the maritime sector, the Maritime …

Government response. The government will convene the first meeting of the Maritime Council in June 2023 to provide top-level governance across the delivery of Maritime 2050 and will publish a joint Government and industry annual progress report from 2024.
Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
22 Jun 2022 Ben Murray · Maritime UK, Ian Blair · Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Petra Wilkinson · Department for Transport, Robert Courts MP · Department for Transport View ↗
25 May 2022 Darren Proctor · National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT), David Tournay · Maritime Skills Alliance, Dr Basil Germond, Huw Gullick · NOC Innovations, Martyn Gray · Nautilus International, Professor John Hudson CBE · MarRI-UK View ↗
11 May 2022 Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE · Maritime UK, David Kennedy Browne · Maersk, Gavin Simmonds · UK Chamber of Shipping, Jos Standerwick · Maritime London, Lucy Armstrong · Port of Tyne, Mark Simmonds · The British Ports Association View ↗

Correspondence

1 letter
DateDirectionTitle
20 Jul 2022 Correspondence from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Maritime, De…