The UK’s first 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub shares best practice
The UK’s first Maritime Innovation Hub is here in the North East at the Port of Tyne, providing a test-bed for new technologies, where best practice is shared to benefit the entire maritime industry.
In 2019, the Government laid out its aim to set up a cross-sector innovation hub in a UK port by 2030. 11 years ahead of schedule, the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub opened its doors.
“Everything we do at Hub is for the greater good of the maritime sector. What makes our innovation centre different is that we have an open door policy – regardless of sector or subject – and it really is for everyone,” said Ian Blake, Head of Innovation and Technology at the Port of Tyne.
“From the better use of data to the acceleration of decarbonisation, the learning we share is changing the industry.”
The Hub is used as a clean energy testbed, providing a place for businesses to test and develop new products before bringing them to market. And its Innovation for Growth Accelerator tasks SMEs with challenges to come up with new ideas and technologies that could be used to improve operations, with recent work has focused on the growing offshore wind sector in the North Sea.
“We’re ambitious and forward thinking and we’re welcoming,” said Ian. “I’d say that the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub, and the Tyne as a whole, has a lot to offer to any business – big or small – that wants to develop and deliver new technologies and systemic improvements.”
