Posted on September 24, 2025
The UK Maritime Innovation Hub will launch in April 2026, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) announced on 22 September 2025. The initiative is aimed at accelerating maritime innovation while maintaining safety standards.
The Hub, hosted by the MCA, will provide support to vessel operators, shipbuilders, start-ups, and technology developers seeking to move new concepts into safe real-world operations. The announcement follows the Department for Transport’s Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy earlier this year, which included the Hub as part of its plans.
The Hub will guide organisations working in fields such as autonomy, alternative fuels, and smart shipping through the regulatory process from prototype to sea trials. It will assist in generating evidence for approval under frameworks including MGN 664, MGN 550, and the Workboat Code Edition 3. Dedicated account management services will be available to reduce administrative burden and speed up approvals, while early engagement will aim to reduce regulatory risks.
MCA Director of UK Customer Maritime Services Lars Lippuner said: “This is an exciting time to be a part of the maritime industry. With the Innovation Hub, we’re strengthening our support for innovators to bring the latest technologies and findings to our shores. We are currently building a workforce to help navigate the route to approval while upholding safety and regulatory standards. We cannot wait to see the potential it unlocks, not just for the UK but on an international scale.”
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is an executive agency of the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport. It is responsible for implementing maritime safety policy, coordinating search and rescue operations through HM Coastguard, and overseeing regulation of UK-flagged ships and seafarers.
The Department for Transport is a ministerial department of the United Kingdom government. It oversees transport networks across the country, including road, rail, aviation, and maritime sectors, and sets policy frameworks for decarbonisation and innovation.
