The Future of UK Maritime: Government Strategy meets SME Opportunity
May 21, 2026By Seawork Press FP
Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA)
MOD Boats Team
Royal Navy
National Shipbuilding Office (NSO)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
HMG Forum
HM Government
UKDI - DASA
BASMO
National Armaments International
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The ever-popular HM Government session takes place on the very first day of Seawork, Tuesday 9 June at 1130. The Future of UK Maritime: Government Strategy meets SME Opportunity
Representation from the National Shipbuilding Office will cover recent UK government policy developments within the maritime enterprise.
Navy Commercial and the Defence Category Management team will outline how to do business with Defence, and the Defence and Commercial Exports teams will focus on international trade.
The newly-named MOD Boats, Autonomous and Specialised Projects (BASMO) team will also be available. Finally, learn how the new MCA Innovation Hub can offer tailored support to vessel operators, shipbuilders, start-ups, and technology developers seeking to bring novel ideas into safe, real-world operations.
More opportunities will follow at the HM Government Lunch & Networking sponsored by ASL GRP Book here .
HMG Zone at Seawork The HMG Zone at Seawork provides a point of presence for a number of Government Departments and Organisations. This year, attendees include; the National Shipbuilding Office, Boats, Autonomous & Specialised Marine Operations Team (MOD), Department for Business and Trade, SME Engagement Team - National Armaments International MOD, UK Defence Innovation and the Royal Navy’s Commercial and Enterprise Engagement teams.
The National Shipbuilding Office (NSO) coordinates vessel procurement across Government departments and leads the National Shipbuilding Strategy refresh. They are keen to meet UK-based vessel builders and supply chain companies to understand capabilities and challenges.
The MOD’s Boats, Autonomous & Specialised Marine Operations Team oversees procurement and support for all boats used by the armed forces. If you're a boat builder with new products or ideas, they may visit your stand. They primarily work with a few prime contractors, so if your offering is part of a larger system, they can guide you on which contractor to approach.
SME Engagement Team, National Armaments International, MOD and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Commercial Maritime team support Defence and Commercial with export advice, including access to UK Export Finance. SMEs looking to export will benefit from connecting with them.
UK Defence Innovation finds and funds exploitable innovation to support UK defence and security quickly and effectively, and support UK prosperity. UKDI’s vision is for the UK to have strategic advantage through the most innovative defence and security capabilities in the world.
The Royal Navy is in heavy demand, protecting the changing world and facing these challenges with a global presence. “We continue to diversify our supply chain to secure the Nation’s Trade, Energy and Data and are eager to meet non-traditional suppliers. Our requirements span technologies, services and infrastructure.”
