The South Coast Marine Cluster has rebranded as part of a collaboration with Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) to form Maritime UK South West (www.southcoastmarine.org.uk), becoming part of the national body Maritime UK.

Jim Stewart, Port of Poole chief executive and South Coast Marine Cluster board member, said: “The South Coast Marine Cluster has built a valuable regional network across business, research and the public sector. It creates the evidence and business cases to lever investment in our world-class ocean economy and promotes these strengths around the world.

"By becoming part of Maritime UK, we aim to forge stronger links with the Government and stakeholders, and
create a clear route to sector development in the South West.”

The creation of Maritime UK South West is part of Maritime UK’s programme to create regional cluster organisations in leading maritime regions around the country, modelled on the body for the Liverpool City Region — Mersey Maritime.

Maritime minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Maritime clusters have a significant impact on the regional and national economy, which is why it is fantastic to see the launch of this new partnership in the South West.

"Through our Maritime 2050 Strategy, we want to see more strong regional maritime clusters driving innovation and ambition, and creating a critical mass of expertise and skills.”

The South Coast Marine Cluster is currently resourced through investment from Local Enterprise Partnerships covering Dorset, the Heart of the South West (Devon and Somerset) and Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, as well as the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth.

After the rebrand and relaunch as Maritime UK South West, the cluster plans to ramp up its offering to the sector by launching a new sponsorship and partnering model.

Meanwhile, CMN will use the collaboration with South Coast Marine Cluster to expand its successful marine employer membership model across the South West. The 2020 Maritime UK Awards will be hosted in Plymouth on 1 July.