Britain and the Sea conference

Leading maritime experts and senior members of the Royal Navy will attend the conference, organised by the Maritime Foundation in cooperation with Plymouth University, to explore and discuss commercial opportunity, security and defence in a globalised trading economy.

Around 95% of goods entering and leaving the UK are handled through our ports and harbours, and over 90% of world trade is carried by sea. Britain’s maritime sector directly and indirectly is its biggest employer and is still one of the largest contributors to the UK economy. It generates engineering and leadership skills and is a major font for apprenticeships and career opportunities.

“These facts clearly demonstrate that the health and vitality of Britain’s maritime sector is of immense importance not only in terms of international trade, but also to the nation’s security and economic wellbeing,” said Julian Parker OBE, chairman, Maritime Foundation. “We need to ensure maritime remains an essential component of national policy.”

The opening address will be given by Dr Fotios Moustakis, director of The Dartmouth Centre for Sea Power and Strategy who will explain the purpose of the new centre and its role within the maritime academic institutions. The morning and afternoon session will be chaired respectively by Alastair Couper, Professor Emeritus and Seafarer Rights International Director, and Captain Paul Wright, Master Mariner and Fellow of Plymouth University Marine Institute.

Talks will also be given by lecturer in International Politics, Kings College London, Dr James Scott; Dr Tristan Smith, director of the Shipping in Changing Climates Project UCL Energy Institute; Professor Richard Clegg, Lloyds Register Foundation Managing Director; Vice Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB, Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff; Rear Admiral Chris Parry CBE, author of Superhighway – Sea Power in the 21st Century; and lecturer in maritime policy at Hull University, Sunil Shastri.

Further details of the programme and speakers are available online.