The marine sector within Semta’s footprint covers an estimated
56-57,000 direct employees in shipbuilding and repair, boat
building and repair and marine equipment manufacturers. Together
they contribute more than £1.9bn to GDP.
The worldwide leisure marine industry is expanding. In the
luxury powerboat market, where a number of British companies and a
very small number of high quality equipment suppliers have made
great advances. Some powerboat builders export more than 90% of
production.
Future
There are new and growing opportunities and serious challenges
for companies in the Sector to increase productivity and become
more competitive. The skills required to utilise cutting edge
technology alongside superb craftsmanship are key to winning a
greater market share for the UK.
Leadership is required to drive change including responding to
fast moving developments around New Product and Process Development
and Implementation (NPPDI), in large projects such as the naval
builds.
To compete globally there is a need for training in ‘Lean’, ‘Six
Sigma’ and other types of business improvement techniques, new
product and process development and implementation, supply chain
management and project management.
The sector needs specific technical skills at level 3 and above.
As with other sectors, they need multi-disciplined craftspeople,
well grounded in the fundamentals and able to absorb training for
new technology and business processes - and this will take Level 2
employees up to more skilled work at Level 3.
More graduates with relevant degrees and ready for productive
employment are needed by the sector. This includes naval architects
and marine electrical engineering graduates capable of using the
latest technology and materials in design.
Key Facts
Shipbuilding and Ship Repair including
Submarines
- Employs 24,000 people at 800 sites and up to 50,000 as contract
labour.
- The merchant shipyards in the UK are expanding their business
in ship repair and refit.
- A market in converting former naval and fishing craft into
superyachts, along with bespoke design, build and outfitting of
luxury yachts, is developing.
Boatbuilding and Boat Repair
- Yacht building is a thriving high export sector competing
against strong international players and striving to win an
increasing share of a growing world market.
- Some of the powerboat builders export more than 90% of
production.
Marine Equipment
- The supply chain in the UK includes world-class marine
equipment manufacturers seeking to strengthen their position in
export markets.
- UK suppliers of equipment and services for commercial seagoing
vessels, warships, and naval auxiliaries (excluding weapons and
associated equipment), yachts over 30m and large workboats, have an
annual turnover of £1.7bn of which 62% is exported.
- Demand for offshore oil platforms and supply vessels shows
signs of strong growth in Africa, Asia and North America. The high
price of oil and gas, and the likelihood of new areas of activity
in the North Sea, could allow the market in the UK to remain
buoyant in the medium term and allow UK yards to have the capacity
and capability in place to compete.