10:00 – 12:00, 13th February 2026,
Online Roadmap Workshop
Join MarRI-UK and British Ports Association (BPA) for this workshop, which is dedicated for the ports sector to shape the national maritime research and technology roadmap.
The ports sector is the lifeblood of the UK’s global competitiveness and economic resilience. UK ports handle approximately 95% of the country’s import and export trade by volume, acting as the primary interface between the UK and the global market. The sector contributes over £10 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy annually and supports more than 125,000 jobs directly, with hundreds of thousands more supported through complex maritime supply chains. Beyond logistics, ports are becoming central hubs for the green energy transition, hosting offshore wind infrastructure and spearheading the drive toward net-zero maritime operations.
It’s important essential to ensure the roadmap accurately reflects the challenges, opportunities, and technological trajectories of our nation’s gateways. From automation and digitalisation to decarbonisation and infrastructure resilience, the technological milestones set today will define the port of tomorrow.
To this end, MarRI-UK, in partnership with the British Ports Association, is organising this targeted workshop specifically for stakeholders within the ports sector. Our goal is to capture the “voice of the ports”—ensuring that national research funding, policy frameworks, and technological development are aligned with the practical needs of those who keep the UK moving.
Register
To register for the workshop, click here.
British Ports Association (BPA)
The British Ports Association (BPA) is the premier national trade and membership body representing the interests of the UK’s diverse ports sector. As an inclusive and progressive association, the BPA is committed to the fair treatment of ports across the entire country, regardless of their size or ownership structure.
The BPA represents operators that collectively handle 86% of all UK port traffic. By providing a powerful, unified voice to Westminster, devolved Governments, and various national and international regulatory bodies, the association ensures that the strategic importance of ports remains at the forefront of policy and economic planning.
Dedicated to innovation and sustainability, the BPA works tirelessly to support an environment where UK ports can thrive as global gateways and hubs of regional prosperity.