BM announces UK small commercial research

British Marine today published findings for the UK’s small commercial marine sector in response to an industry call to measure ing the performance of the sector.

This is deemed pivotal for businesses future planning and, ultimately, ensuring the prosperity of the UK industry.

These new figures come at a time when British Marine is leading future growth in this sector through its dedicated association, Commercial Marine.

According to the research, the sector generated a turnover of £182 million in 2015-16, employing 1,876 people across 395 businesses.

It also reveals that over half (53.7%) of the sector’s turnover was generated by companies within the supply chain, whilst nearly a third (32.9) was from commercial marine builders and the remaining 13.4% was secured by business services.

This year, British Marine will be offering extensive studies into the health of the UK’s small commercial marine sector. This will allow it to determine an accurate and robust footprint of the industry, which will form an invaluable resource for member companies to identify key business opportunities and concerns.

To aid the growth of businesses, it will also be supporting them in domestic and overseas markets, providing ongoing detailed and valuable technical support on the full range of regulatory issues. This will also help build the sector’s workforce of tomorrow, with the ongoing development of three new apprenticeship standards.

This week, Commercial Marine is at Seawork International supporting over 76 members exhibiting at the event and showcasing the expertise it has to drive the success of its members and the sector as a whole.

Throughout the exhibition, the British Marine team has been on hand addressing key matters for the industry, both on the Commercial Marine Stand PY135 and at some of the exhibition’s numerous conferences and talks.

Howard Pridding, Chief Executive Officer at British Marine, comments: “From Silvers Marine in Scotland and Salamander Amphibious Vehicles in Northern Ireland to Holyhead Marine Services in Wales, Century Maritime in England and Aqua-Star in Guernsey, British Marine supports small commercial marine businesses across the breadth of the UK.

“As one of the three core sectors we represent, the commercial sector is a vital element for the success of the whole UK marine industry, promoting British excellence around the world.

“I am delighted that we have been able to present for the first time these topline figures, which portray a sector in good health, and I look forward to British Marine delivering the much needed data this sector is calling out for.”