Chairman’s Letter – Spring 2019

Dear Member

Spring has definitely sprung and some might say that the flourishing Offshore Wind Industry is definitely reaping the fruits of those early efforts and turning into strong green growth!

The recently announced Offshore Wind Sector deal is great news for our region and its impact will be the main theme at this year’s Offshore Wind Connections conference and exhibition OWC 2019 1-2 May. Once again we have organised a full programme of activities starting with “WindMeet” the 1-2-1 supply chain sessions followed in the evening by the conference launch reception in cooperation with RenewableUK and then on to the main event, a solid day of industry keynote speakers and panellists.

Whilst this is a business conference it’s also a time for us all to take stock and celebrate another year of achievement in the industry. “Networking on the Roof” returns encouraging friends old and new to meet and develop those long term relationships which are so vital in this still “Spring” like industry.

Blueprint to Transition – premiered in New York at the Bloomberg NEF Summit featuring myself and THMA members Ørsted and MMS Shipyard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=QFEhDxwIAk8

Whilst offshore wind is dominating our members news right now, great things are happening in the broader maritime industry around the Humber. Significant investments have been made in the region’s infrastructure that is driving more business to the Humber Ports and new shipping routes and services are starting to see the advantage of utilising these facilities.

Finally I was delighted to hear at our recent Humber Maritime Future Skills Forum event that great things are happening in terms of the provision of Post 16 Maritime skills training. Hull Trinity House Academy is making great progress in this area with its Nautical College initiative in Hull and indeed more recently Grimsby Institute has announced the formation of the Humber Maritime College which will be offering Merchant Navy cadetships from September 2019. Huge strides have been made here in a few short years and I commend everyone that has been involved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-davo2K7hlY

I wish you all a very happy and peaceful Easter and look forward to welcoming you to OWC 2019.

 

Kindest regards

Mark