SOCSEA24, the 4th Society and the Sea Conference, is taking a significant step forward in championing gender equality within the maritime industry.

The conference organisers – National Maritime and the University of Greenwich – have announced that women in maritime leadership roles will make up 41.2% of the speakers and 50% of the moderators at this year’s SOCSEA event. This marks a significant 9% increase in female representation compared to the conference’s debut in 2016.

Although female representation is increasing in the maritime sector, gender imbalance remains a considerable issue. Women account for just 29% of the overall workforce in the maritime sector, and just 2% of seafarers*.

SOCSEA’s dual-themed agenda will explore the strategies needed to build a sustainable blue economy, including gender diversity and representation. Hosted by National Maritime in partnership with the University of Greenwich, it will take place on the 9th and 10th of
September 2024 at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich.

This year’s theme, “To be truly blue, we must also think green: developing a sustainable blue economy needs both environmental protection and economic activities to go hand-in-hand,” will highlight the crucial balance between the sector’s transition to zero emissions whilst maintaining sustainable economic growth.

The ‘Green Waves’ stage will focus on energy transition and sustainability in maritime and coastal environments, while the ‘Blue Invest’ stage will delve into business opportunities and the societal benefits that can be leveraged through collaboration across the supply chain.

National Maritime and the University of Greenwich say they are committed to supporting gender diversity at all levels of the sustainable maritime energy transition and investment decision-making. Peter Green, chief executive of National Maritime said:

“The increased gender diversity at this year’s conference reflects our commitment to gender equality, but we recognise that there is still work to be done. In partnership with the University of Greenwich, we have pledged to increase female representation at SOCSEA further still, and our ambition is to hit our 50% target for our next conference.

“Diversity is a prerequisite for the sustainable growth of our sector. Our commitment extends beyond gender to include racial diversity, age diversity, and economic equality, all of which are essential for advancing SOCSEA’s sustainability agenda.”

This year’s SOCSEA conference will feature leading female speakers and moderators, including Aslihan Penley, Founder & CEO of Zoex; Sarah Kenny, CEO of BMT; Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine Foundation; Julia Pallé, VP Sustainability at Formula E; Julia Manning, Senior Environmental Advisor at EBRD; and Gina Panayiotou, Founder & CEO of Oceans Arena and Chair of the World ESG Forum, among others.

In addition to these notable industry leaders, SOCSEA will also host organisations such as the Celtic Freeport, Babcock International, ABB, the UK Marine Energy Council, and the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs). Expert contributors will provide insights across a wide range of subjects, fostering learning, inspiration, and meaningful conversations.

For the full speaker lineup and more details, visit: https://www.nmdg.co.uk/socsea24/agenda/.

For further information about the conference, please contact events@nmdg.co.uk

Limited time conference ticket discount: APPLY 50% COUPON CODE: SOCSEA50 Discount applies to standard conference tickets, and conference and maritime ball combined tickets.

Accommodation discount: If you’re looking to stay in Greenwich for the conference accommodation discounts can be found here: https://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/socsea24

National Maritime and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) are hosting a black-tie charity ball on the evening of 9 September 2024. The event celebrates 200 years of the RNLI and will raise vital funds for this life-saving organisation.

The ball will take place on board the Woods’ Silver Fleet flagship river yacht Silver Sturgeon, embarking and disembarking within the beautiful historic riverscape at Greenwich Pier, London. Guests will enjoy fine dining and live entertainment, while cruising through London’s spectacular sights and bridges lit with the ‘Illuminated River’ artwork. The event is a rare opportunity to experience being aboard the Silver Sturgeon as the vessel is normally only available for private hire.

This year sees the RNLI celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea. Since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews have launched the lifeboats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.

Ryan Hall, Head of Region South East, RNLI said:
“I am really looking forward to spending the evening with everyone as we see the sights of the Thames. The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea, and it is apt that we will be seeing the UK’s busiest lifeboat station during our cruise, and of course we hope that the Lifeboat can pay us a visit as well. The support everyone offers across the maritime sector is amazing and we are forever grateful for the continued support as we strive to save everyone. Your support for this event will ensure we can set up a legacy for the future ensuring we remain sustainable, fit for purpose and support our team of over 35,000 volunteers in saving lives at sea.”

Guests at the ball will enjoy fine dining, with a menu curated with sustainability at its heart by Woods’ Silver Fleet Executive Head Chef Marcus Cunningham. The food will be sustainably grown and responsibly sourced with a focus on fish and plant-based ingredients, accompanied by sustainably sourced wines and non-alcoholic alternatives. Live entertainment will be provided by Temple Band. Temple performs regularly on the main stage at some of London’s biggest venues and members have performed with some of the world’s top names. The evening will conclude with a charity auction and a boat drive-by from the Tower Bridge RNLI crew. Guests can purchase either individual tickets or a whole table, allowing attendees to share the spectacular evening.

The SOCSEA Grand Maritime Charity Ball is the official dinner of the 4th Society and The Sea international conference delivered by National Maritime and the University of Greenwich, held at Greenwich Maritime on the 9th and 10th of September 2024. The theme of SOCSEA24 is ‘To be truly blue, we must also think green’.

Peter Green, CEO, National Maritime, said:

“We can’t think of a better way to conclude our conference than by supporting the vital work of the RNLI as they celebrate their 200th anniversary. As well as being a fantastic cause, this is a wonderful opportunity for the maritime sector to unite and celebrate our achievements as we work together for a greener future.”

First ever Unmanned Marine Systems (UMS) certificate has been awarded

Thames Estuary have announced that, in partnership with Highways England, they have appointed international consultancy and construction company, Mace, to look at how local stakeholders and businesses can take full advantage of the opportunities brought by proposed Lower Thames Crossing.

A £36 million contract has been awarded to Marine Specialised Technology Group to deliver 18 new police patrol craft for the MOD and Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP) Forces.

Blue Space at the Marine Workshops is the redevelopment of a stunning heritage site into a Maritime and Sustainable Technology hub in Newhaven and is set to reinvigorate the area’s industry and bring huge opportunities for jobs, training, and investment into the area.

National Maritime Launch:
Fisheries Working Group (London & South East)

Aberdeen company North Star Renewables has been awarded contracts worth an estimated £270 m to deliver three state-of-the-art service operation vessels (SOVs) to be used on what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea.

North Star’s contract award follows a highly-competitive tender process. The Scottish firm beat off strong international competition to secure the deal to design and deliver the three-vessel service operation fleet for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which is currently being built in the North Sea by joint venture partners SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni.

North Star will deliver the SOVs to Dogger Bank Wind Farm operator Equinor from Summer 2023 and will be chartered to Dogger Bank by North Star for a ten-year period, with an option for three one-year extensions.

They will also create 130 new full-time UK-based jobs in crewing and shore-based roles for the lifetime of the contract.

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We can’t always meet in person but we can always form a virtual connection, which is almost as good and you don’t need to iron a shirt.

To that aim, National Maritime have created a brand-new Facebook Group, where our Blue Prime members can interact with each other; post ideas, news, collaborations, new innovations, questions and concerns. This forum will support business and develop relationships that will make progress happen. We need input from our SME’s to Inform the SME Maritime Working Group about the key issues that affect the sector, in order to progress concerns and offer solutions at a governmental level. We want to create a fertile ground for business to grow; it’s all done here.

If you are a SME that works in or with the Maritime industry and you source, service or produce in the UK you can register to Blue Prime and become a member of the UK’s Largest SME Maritime Network and enjoy all the free benefits that entails, one of which is access to this new online forum.

We are a community of UK Maritime SMEs, enjoying access to services and content for free. We believe in making it easier for companies to access the right business support and advice, which is why we operate a ‘Pay as you Go’ membership service, providing a more value-added solution than the traditional trade association membership model. We do not ask you to pay membership fees, only pay when you require our services.

FREE BENEFITS:

• Company listing on Blue Prime, the online directory for UK maritime SME
• Exclusive access to our Blue Prime on-line networking group
• Authorised use of official UK quality marks and National Maritime logos
• Receive ‘Maritime Connection’, our bi-monthly e-newsletter sent to your in-box
• Access to the National Maritime SME Working v
• One hour business advice clinic with a Maritime Enterprise Development Mentor
• Book lounge areas & business pods for meetings at any Blue Space maritime hub with free Wi-Fi
• Discounts on meeting and training room hire at any Blue Space maritime hub
• Invitations to National Maritime member-only events
• Entitlement to member offers and discounts on networking events, goods and services
• Receive a Blue Prime Privilege Card to help access all member offers
• First to hear about and book National Maritime’s local and international events

Simply upload your business, promote your services & offer a reward that appeals to your customers. Make the maritime connection and start doing business today.

Blue Prime – National Maritime (nmdg.co.uk)