University of Liverpool researchers have contributed to a new report, supported by the National Shipbuilding Office, that assesses the UK’s research capabilities for shipbuilding.
Working in partnership with other maritime universities under the co-ordination of MarRI-UK (Maritime Research and Innovation), the report outlines the UK’s research strengths in comparison to other shipbuilding nations, identifies where the UK has comparative advantage in developing the next generation of vessels and shipbuilding infrastructure, and provides recommendations to enhance the UK’s competitiveness.
Three postgraduate students from the University’s School of Environmental Sciences (SoES) – Thomas Fitter, Cammy Acosta and James Murphy – helped to author the report. They led the assessment of research expertise and facilities in digital applications in shipbuilding, with contributions from Professors Andy Plater and Jonny Higham in SoES, Andy Levers in the Digital Innovation Facility and Tolga Bektas in the Management School. The students were each able to draw on their own expertise in the use of data and digital tools for the novel characterization of hydrodynamics, port city air quality and coastal environmental monitoring.
Professor Andy Plater, who was part of the team who delivered the assessment on behalf of MarRI-UK, said: “Expertise from across the university members of MarRI-UK produced this assessment of research priorities and capabilities of established shipbuilding nations from across the globe. We’ve identified areas where the UK can potentially lead the world through strategic investment and collaboration across academia, industry and government – aligning outstanding research in decarbonisation, design, autonomy, digital and manufacturing in the development of specialist vessels that connect us to our maritime energy assets.”
Simon Reid – Director MarRI-UK said:“MarRI-UK is proud to have collaborated with the NSO on this important project which will enable the future sustainable growth of the shipbuilding industry in the UK. It outlines interventions that will positively disrupt the global market, provide future regional and national growth and enhance the skills development of the UK workforce in the shipbuilding industry”
Professor Plater added: “Completing this research capability assessment for the National Shipbuilding Office adds to our recent successes in maritime, including our involvement in the UK’s new maritime research hub, UK-MaRes Hub, to decarbonise the shipping industry and support green economic growth. We’re proud to be taking such an active role in supporting national and regional strategy in re-establishing our leadership in clean maritime.”
The University of Liverpool is a member of MarRI-UK, an industry-led membership organisation that drives the global competitiveness of the UK maritime through extensive partnerships in identifying, developing, and leveraging emerging technologies.