NOC Open for Business at Ocean Business
International marine science firms are choosing Ocean Business, taking place from 14 – 16 April as the key venue for exploring ventures with the National Oceanography Centre’s scientists and technologists. NOC is building a portfolio of collaborations with marine industries that includes support for research and development, licensing of its developed technology, and programmes to access the expertise and knowledge of this world-leading centre.
Kevin Forshaw, NOC’s associate director, Innovation and Enterprise sees that the potential for business is huge. They regularly hold forums where manufacturers and suppliers are briefed on the support they can give for research and development into new products and services. NOC is a hub for innovation and development.
Technical Challenges
Sometimes businesses have a technical challenge that needs a solution, or they can partner with the NOC for collaborative research and development that leverages out expertise and testing facilities. The institute is collaborating with businesses, both small and large, locally and internationally to take the outputs of our research and apply them for positive socio-economic impact – creating new jobs and exports, and ultimately a greater understanding of the ocean environment for the population at large.
Visitors to the show will see evidence of the GBP3 million which has been invested into a marine autonomous robotics innovation centre with building now underway. NOC’s Autosub fleet has been complemented with 30 gliders and two robotic surface vehicles that were designed and built for NOC science by two local companies.
Beyond Technical Developments
The opportunities for collaboration go beyond technical developments in vehicles and the sophisticated sensor packages they carry. From satellite data to sea levels, from ocean circulation to carbon capture and storage, NOC’s knowledge exchange programmes are providing expert input and information about the marine environment.
NOC’s people are working at the forefront of technological and academic development, tackling some of the most challenging global questions facing the marine environment.
NOC is also assisting with the generation of a thriving economy. The marine and maritime sectors contribute GBP35bn to UK GDP. In the Solent region these sectors account for 5% of private sector jobs. In the high-tech marine industries this business is set to grow.
