An ambitious project is underway which could see a radical new relationship between Thames vessel operators and London’s electricity network. The Electric Thames project, a collaboration between UK Power Networks, LCP Delta, and Marine Zero (members of Cornwall Marine Network), is assessing the viability of using electric vessels to feed stored electricity back into the capital’s energy network, accelerating the transition to Net Zero. Using a principle similar to night storage heaters, battery-powered vessels on the Thames could store green energy when it is cheap to do so, such as when the w ..read more

The South West Investment Fund (SWIF) is part of a series of Nations and Regions Investment Funds totalling £1.6 billion, launched by the British Business Bank. The fund covers the entire South West region, including Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire. With £200 million of funding for the region, it creates opportunities for new and growing businesses, boosting productivity, innovation and jobs in the area. SWIF provides funding to appointed fund managers who offer three different funding options ranging from £25,000 loans up to £5 ..read more

Flexible self-contained office spaces to rent in Falmouth The Maritime Futures Hub brought to you by Cornwall Marine Network. Based at the Maritime Business Centre on Falmouth Business Park, the spaces offer flexible workspace and private offices to a range of businesses. We currently have two private fully contained office spaces available, lockable and secure each measuring 3.6m x 3m The Maritime Futures Hub offers a collaborative business community and dynamic office facilities: Spacious meeting & conference facilities Fabulous connectivity and technology Informal networking areas Tail ..read more

Last week Cornwall Marine Network welcomed Shadow Minister for Business John Reynolds and Jane Kirkham, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Falmouth along with Key business leaders for a renewable energy business roundtable. Paul Wickes – CEO Cornwall Marine Network, Shadow Business Secretary – Jonathan Reynolds MP, Jayne Kirkham – Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Truro and Falmouth   Amongst the important conversations, the panel discussed: Opportunities and barriers for the renewables sector and green energies The importance of a locally developed and supported supply chain. The h ..read more

The group heard from Wendi Goodman at Volvo Penta, CMB.TECH in the Netherlands and Tower Group on how we can bring green hydrogen to Cornwall and what technologies are already available to support production, distribution, storage and the actual use of hydrogen. They were joined by many of the key people helping to shape these new opportunities within our county along with businesses and organisations that will benefit from this technology or can support the development of it within the region. The Group saw examples of technology already in use across the world by technology developers and ex ..read more

Under Article 3 of the Fal Fishery Order 2016, Cornwall IFCA is formally consulting on an amendment to the Fal Fishery Order Regulation 2 to increase the native oyster minimum size to 72 mm . This follows an informal consultation in Autumn 2023, which asked for opinions and information about the impacts of this potential 5mm increase. The results of the informal consultation were shared with members of Cornwall IFCA at its meeting on 18 December 2023. There were a range of views both for and against the proposal. After consideration of the responses, members of the Authority approved the propo ..read more

A&P Falmouth will reduce emissions in port by providing sustainable clean shore power solutions to vessels after it was successful in a bid to the UK Government’s Zero Emission Vessel Infrastructure fund (ZEVI). A&P Falmouth is part of APCL Group, the global ship building and ship repair organisation. The facility is one of the world’s largest natural deep-water harbours, with large graving docks and extensive along-side deepwater berthing. A&P Falmouth provides vital ship repair and in-service support to the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The £12m shore power project will s ..read more

People out and about on the Penryn River on Saturday afternoon (November 11) were treated to a highly unusual spectacle – a 20-tonne boat hoist being floated across from one boatyard to another. Three Falmouth companies collaborated in this gesture of goodwill which demanded a high level of planning and a bespoke construction. The hoist at Falmouth Boatyard at Ponsharden was severely damaged in an accident last month, which has left it unable to lift some 100 yachts and motor boats safely ashore for winter storage, leaving the vessels at risk from bad weather. On hearing this, Jonathan Fieldin ..read more

As part of Green Careers Week 2023, Kit Williams – who works as Maritime Sustainability Skills Manager for Cornwall Marine Network and the Maritime Skills Commission – speaks with CMN’s Dean Hodge about the new Green Skills and Sustainability training provision launched by CMN, and the value that green careers can bring to businesses. Introduce yourself and your role with CMN. My name is Kit Williams and although I have been employed by Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) since April 2021, I have been the Maritime Sustainability Skills Manager here since October 2022.  Based at CMN’s offic ..read more

Aimed at learners aged 16 and above who would like to gain the practical knowledge and skills required to embark upon a rewarding career in boatbuilding, this apprenticeship not only offers a valuable qualification but also the opportunity to develop transferable skills that are highly valued by employers. The inaugural cohort will commence training on Monday 20 November. Delivered over 48 months, learning will initially take place at the Cockwells’ satellite facility that is situated on the former Vospers site in Ponsharden. With a 50/50 split between practice and theory, the first three week ..read more