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Marine - Overview

Part of BIS's role is to help the UK's shipbuilding, ship repair, marine equipment and boat building industries to drive up their productivity and competitiveness. To this end, we seek to ensure that the interests of the marine industries are fully taken into account in UK government decision-making.

We aim to:

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the sector, and build effective relations with key companies, the trade associations and other stakeholders.

• Build an effective network within Government and to champion the marine sector's interests within it, in respect of regulations and other policies.

• Ensure that the industry-led Marine Industries Leadership Council (including companies, trade associations, The Skills Council, unions, and Government Departments) is an effective vehicle for promoting the marine sectors interests.

• Provide support to the sector in tapping into the range of BIS Business Support and technology programmes, and Regional Development Agency support.

The marine manufacturing sector in the UK includes the areas of marine equipment, boat building, shipbuilding and ship repair.

The sector has many SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises), which occupy niche market positions. It also has world-leading UK manufacturers with a significant international presence. The exports of the marine sector contribute greatly to the UK's overall exports. For example, the UK leisure marine industry achieved revenues of £2.95 billion in 2007, which amounted to a growth of approximately 6% over the previous year. Of this amount, exports comprised £1.05 billion (=35.1% of turnover).

Details of business support programmes from BIS are available at www.businesslink.gov.uk.

Details of BIS's Technology Strategy are here.

For all enquiries on the marine sector, contact Patricia Judd Tel. 020 7215 1539