ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS 2021
2050 INNOVATION HUB The UK’s first 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub is an exciting partnership with Port of Tyne, Drax, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (OREC), Nissan, Connected Places Catapult, Accenture, Royal HaskoningDHV, Ubisoft and the Department for Transport. The 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub inspires partners to collaborate to develop solutions to technological challenges facing the maritime sector and the wider logistics industry both nationally and globally. It acts as a catalyst for sharing ideas, harnessing research and development, advancing technology and tackling shared challenges. The Maritime 2050 Innovation Hub works closely with the Department for Transport and MarRI-UK to ensure that it delivers for the benefit of the maritime sector as a whole, consistent with the aspirations of the UK’s Maritime 2050 strategy. Now in its third year, the 2050 Maritime Innovation Hub has delivered a number of outstanding achievements, including: • Creating a network involving business, academia and industry to help create new business opportunities • Providing proof of concept testing opportunities for innovators looking to demonstrate value • Providing an example of best practice and inspiration for other UK ports, raising awareness about how the maritime industry can benefit from advanced technology • Continuing to operate throughout the COVID lockdowns, via numerous online events for hundreds of delegates. • Creating a blueprint for decarbonisation of UK ports with partners Siemens, Connected Places Catapult, Newcastle University and the North East LEP via funding granted by the Department for Transport.
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