UK Government designates city of Plymouth as marine autonomy centre

The UK Government has designated the city of Plymouth to be the UK's new "national centre for marine autonomy."

The designation was recently confirmed by Maria Eagle, Minister of State (Defence Procurement and Industry), according to Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML).

"We have some extraordinary businesses and organisations here in Plymouth who are at the cutting edge of this incredibly exciting sector," said Plymouth City Council Leader Tudor Evans.

"The world is waking up to all the possibilities marine autonomy offers and we are very keen indeed to help connect Plymouth businesses to the right people and the right organisations."

Evans added that investing in Plymouth’s businesses for testing and developing marine autonomy would enable UK commercial interests to, "build sovereign capabilities and secure a significant share in this growing market, particularly in the fields of defence, renewables, and oil and gas."

"We have a strategic defence review that sets out that we will have fighting structure, which includes marine autonomy," said MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Luke Pollard. "This an opportunity to develop, scale up and test marine autonomy. This sector is incredible, innovative and the work we are doing in the city is cutting edge."

PML and other local organisations in Plymouth have been developing autonomous vessels over the last few years. Some examples include the hydrogen-powered SWATH demonstrator craft Pioneer (pictured) and the PML-developed, long-range research vessel Oceanus.