Firms unite to boost sector

A group of Scottish maritime businesses have joined forces to create a new “cluster” aimed at boosting economic growth and securing a larger share of a multibillion-pound global market.

The Scottish Maritime Cluster was officially launched by Transport and the Islands Minister Humza Yousaf at London International Shipping Week (LISW) 2017.

As one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious maritime events, LISW is a major opportunity for promoting Scotland’s maritime sector on a global stage.

New economic data released to coincide with LISW by Maritime UK estimates the maritime sector in Scotland in 2015 supported 39,300 jobs and made a £3.6billion contribution to the economy.

On these figures, Scottish companies account

“Made a £3.6billion contribution to the economy”

for more than 20% of the UK’s total maritime sector.

The cluster is led by a five-strong team of directors, with Douglas Lang, managing director at Anglo-Eastern UK, taking on the role of chairman.

Five key strategic areas of focus have been identified: commercial shipping; naval and military contracts; maritime business support services; legislation and education; and training.

Scottish Enterprise is funding a one-year “network integrator” post.