Plymouth's position in the UK as the centre of marine autonomy was strengthened yesterday as it was showcased to a global audience at Oceanology International 2026 in London.
Since the late 2010s, Turnchapel Wharf has established itself as the Home of UK Maritime Autonomy, supported by significant private investment and a growing cluster of businesses developing and testing unmanned and autonomous vessels and associated software. This activity has generated increasing interest and support from across the city, helping to accelerate the growth of this emerging sector.
This has led to the Ministry of Defence designating Plymouth as the UK's National Centre for Marine Autonomy (NCMA), placing our city and the wider South West at the heart of the UK’s capability and resilience in defence and dual-use technologies.
The announcement of the NCMA acknowledged the city’s existing position as a hub of innovation and expertise in all aspects of marine autonomy, and its ambition to grow that influence and leadership at a regional, national and international level.
Showcased At Oceanology International
Now many of its key partners – spanning national and local government, industry, academia and regulatory bodies – have come together to present the NCMA to delegates at the world’s premier biennial ocean technology exhibition.
More than 25 leading businesses and organisations from across the marine and defence sectors have united on a stand, co-ordinated by the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport, at the event taking place this week at Excel London.
An official launch event was held on the NCMA stand today, with Luke Pollard MP (Plymouth Sutton and Devonport) and Rebecca Smith MP (South West Devon) among those highlighting the NCMA’s importance for the city and region, and the UK as a whole.
Pictured: Professor Richard Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth (2nd from left), Rebecca Smith MP (centre) and colleagues from Plymouth businesses.
“When Plymouth was announced as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy, it was clear evidence of the positive impact its expertise could bring to bear right across the UK."
"This is also a global opportunity to building on our city’s world-renowned maritime heritage and reaffirm its position as a place of outstanding marine innovation, ingenuity and talent development. The organisations showcasing the NCMA this week represent a clear demonstration of the collective will to succeed, and to ensure our city’s marine autonomy excellence touches every part of our society.”
- Professor Richard Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth and chair of Team Plymouth’s Business, Innovation and Marine Autonomy workstream
Marine Autonomy User Group
Last week, Rebecca Smith MP attended the most recent 'Turnchapel Wharf Marine Autonomy User Group' meeting with representatives from M Subs Ltd, Thales, Fugro, Marine AI, Cattewater Harbour Plymouth, Zero USV, Oshen, ACUA Ocean and Helsing.
Discussions including scaling up the infrastructure at Turnchapel Wharf to continue to develop and test new technologies, business collaborations and challenges in the sector, as well as bringing the right, skilled employees into the sector.
Photo (c): Rebecca Smith MP
"Plymouth has long been associated with marine activity, and that experience is being applied to new and emerging technologies. Hearing directly from the multiple companies based at Turnchapel Wharf gave valuable insight into the broader challenges the sector is facing, particularly around the ongoing issues of outdated regulations, access to skilled local talent and the practical barriers to growth."
- Rebecca Smith MP
