Plymouth is to become the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy, reinforcing its position as a global leader in the development and deployment of autonomous marine systems. The announcement was made by the Right Honourable Maria Eagle, Minister of State (Defence Procurement and Industry), during a high-profile event hosted at Devonport by Plymouth City Council and the South West Regional Defence and Security Cluster.

Plymouth is already home to pioneering initiatives such as the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy (NCCA), co-led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and Smart Sound Plymouth, which is coordinated by PML. These platforms, alongside contributions from key stakeholders including PML Applications, continue to shape the future of autonomous marine technology in the UK and beyond.

Sam Fawcett, Manager of the Centre for Coastal Technologies, PML Applications:
“This recognition validates what we’ve long known – that Plymouth’s unique combination of easy access to deep-water testing environments, world-class marine research capabilities, and established maritime infrastructure makes it the natural home for marine and coastal autonomy in the UK.

Our integrated research ecosystem, bringing together internationally-renowned scientists, technology developers, maritime and naval facilities, provides an unparalleled platform for advancing autonomous marine systems, from proof-of-concept through to operational deployment. This designation further cements Plymouth’s position as a global centre for marine technology and innovation, and PML Applications is very proud to be playing a key role in providing expertise and solutions to this growing sector.”

Marine Autonomy Event in Devonport

Over 170 delegates attended the Marine Autonomy event on Friday 13 June, which brought together experts from the marine, defence, and innovation sectors. The agenda included panel discussions and keynote presentations from organisations including PML, the University of Plymouth, and representatives from across government and industry.

Marine Autonomy event with PML’s Prof. James Fishwick on the far right of the panel.

A panel session featuring Professor James Fishwick, Head of Marine Technology and Autonomy at PML and Head of Smart Sound Plymouth, explored how Plymouth is driving dual-use innovation in marine technology for both civil and defence applications.

Prof. James Fishwick, PML:

 “Plymouth has been leading the way in marine autonomy across multiple sectors for many years, so this official recognition as the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy is fantastic news. Marine autonomy is firmly rooted here, supported by world-class research, key industry players, and the recent integration of the Royal Navy’s autonomy capabilities.

At Plymouth Marine Laboratory, we were proud to launch with our partners the National Centre for Coastal Autonomy (NCCA) in 2023, establishing Plymouth as a national leader in coastal autonomy for the marine science community. Smart Sound Plymouth, led by PML, has been a key enabler to the success of marine autonomy in Plymouth, providing the UK’s premier test and demonstration environment for marine technologies since 2015.

We’re excited about the future of marine autonomy in Plymouth and look forward to forging new partnerships and building on this momentum to drive innovation in this vital sector.”

National Centre for Coastal Autonomy (NCCA)

NCCA is the UK’s first fully integrated net zero autonomous observing and monitoring network, delivering cutting edge science to advance our understanding of the dynamic coastal seas. It is an initiative of Marine Research Plymouth Alliance, which involves Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Marine Biological Association and the University of Plymouth. NCCA delivers world-leading capability in scientific coastal autonomy, combining state-of-the-art surface autonomous vessels, sub-surface coastal platforms and sophisticated scientific buoys integrated on a unique high-speed marine communications network, to provide an autonomous coastal observing system capable of driving enhanced understanding of the marine environment.

Smart Sound Plymouth

Smart Sound Plymouth is the UK’s premier proving area for designing, testing and developing cutting edge products and services for the marine sector. This multi-million pound development provides access to first class off- and onshore facilities plus award-winning marine science and technology expertise. Co-ordinated through the Marine Business Technology Centre (MBTC), Smart Sound Plymouth is a partnership between Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Marine Biological Association, University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Council and the University of Exeter, boasting considerable expertise in autonomous systems, environmental sensor technologies, alternative propulsion, advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.

A Strategic Opportunity

Plymouth’s designation as the national centre is widely seen as a transformational opportunity. Local leaders and stakeholders welcomed the announcement as a turning point for the region’s marine sector.

Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council:
“This is superb news. We knew Plymouth was creating something special in the blue/green skills sector, but it is always great to see others endorse what you believe.

We have some extraordinary businesses and organisations here in Plymouth who are at the cutting edge of this incredibly exciting sector. The world is waking up to all the possibilities marine autonomy offers and we are very keen indeed to help connect Plymouth businesses to the right people and the right organisations.

Investing in Plymouth’s businesses for testing and developing marine autonomy will enable UK PLC to build sovereign capabilities and secure a significant share in this growing market, particularly in the fields of defence, renewables, and oil and gas.”

MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport Luke Pollard told the delegates that the nature of defence is changing. He said::

“We have a strategic defence review that sets out that we will have fighting structure which includes marine autonomy.

Defence is an engine for growth. This an opportunity to develop, scale up and test marine autonomy. This sector is incredible, innovative and the work we are doing in the city is cutting edge.

There is a place for investment and that’s Plymouth.”

Professor Richard Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth, said:

“This acknowledges the key role Plymouth is already playing in the development and delivery of marine autonomy.

But being recognised as the national centre of excellence represents a once in a lifetime opportunity that will open new doors for the University and our partners.

Working across existing and new collaborations, we can now push forward with ambitious plans to grow a sector that is critical to our nation’s defence and security, and has the potential to benefit the environment, business, health and much more besides. Together, we have the skills and expertise to deliver on those ambitions, fostering new opportunities that benefit the city, region and country in the long-term.”

A Global Marine Autonomy Hub

Plymouth boasts one of the largest clusters of marine science and technology expertise in the world, with more than 7,100 skilled workers in the marine manufacturing sector. The blue tech industry accounts for over 21% of national employment in this field, and more than 11% of the city’s total employment.

The region is also home to leading marine autonomy companies such as Thales, M Subs, Oshen, Zero USV, Sonardyne, and Fugro. In a landmark moment for the sector, Plymouth-based M Subs successfully launched the first autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic – the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS400) – in 2020.

With a projected global marine autonomy market worth £103 billion by 2030, and the UK aiming to secure a 10% share, Plymouth is now firmly at the helm of this growing industry.