The UK's marine industries contribute £3.7 billion (US$6.0 billion) to the UK economy each year, according to figures released by the Marine Industries Leadership Council. Comprising well over 5,000 companies, the marine industries employ around 120,000 people across the UK and have a combined turnover of £10 billion. With more than 20 per cent growth in shipbuilding and marine leisure between 2006 and 2008, future growth in the marine industries is expected to amount to billions of pounds for the UK through expanding international markets and marine renewable energy.
"These figures highlight the importance of the marine industry to the UK economy and to the skills and jobs market," said Minister of State for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk MP at a parliamentary event to promote the findings of the economic research. "It's an industry worth several billion and the Marine Industries Leadership Council (MILC) will play a vital role in helping industry to secure more work for the UK."
"It is not true that these industries are in decline – nothing could be further from the truth," added Alan Johnston Managing Director of BAE Systems' maritime organisation and co-chair of the MILC. "The high technology marine engineering industry makes a major contribution to the UK economy.
"By working together we have the potential to further increase revenues, boost jobs and our collective value to the economy. Areas of focus include innovation, promoting British expertise in international markets, and skills development. I would encourage companies in the UK marine supply chain to take an active interest in the wider sector and to explore opportunities for collaboration and engagement."
The council aims to maximise the potential of the marine industries and, by June 2011, will develop a UK marine industries growth strategy.
