Invest in Dorset: Marine

Across Dorset, businesses are leading in clean propulsion, security and design, manufacture and repair of yachts and boat building. Home to a variety of global headquarters in the marine sector, and 25% of marine manufacturing jobs based in SW England. Dorset is not shy of providing a world excellent site for companies to base themselves in the region.

Dorset has 2 ports and 3 harbours, which provide strong transport links to mainland Europe. It is also home to UNESCO designated world heritage site – the Jurassic Coast. Encompassing 95 miles of pristine Dorset and Devon coastline, the site offers opportunity for investment across tourism, digital, educational, and environmental conservation spheres.

The 2 ports of Dorset include the Port of Poole which has an excess of 10,000 acres, making it the largest natural harbour in Europe. And Portland Harbour which is one of the largest man-made harbours in the world, ensuring a safe haven for ships.

The 3 harbours of Dorset are Weymouth Harbour which is home to a commercial fishing fleet contributing almost £4.5million to the fishing industry. Lyme Regis Harbour has a variety of small fishing vessels and yachts, comprising of 246 leisure drying moorings split between visitor and permanent vessels, and 34 commercial moorings. And Bridport Harbour where it was established in West Bay outer harbour in Victorian times and is seen as a highly attractive place to visit and stay containing several local holiday sites and accommodation for visitors.

A vibrant and dynamic supply chain, supported by key national trade associations ensure that Dorset has a highly skilled workforce to continue to contribute to the growth of this sector.

Some of the many companies related to the marine sector in Dorset include:

• The Boat Building Academy: based in Lyme Regis, it has been training men and women to build boats to the highest standard for over 25 years.
• Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy: offer some of the best sailing waters on the planet and purpose-built onshore facilities to match.
• Manor Marine: has been providing ship building, extensive marine manufacturing, and general engineering services for over 30 years and currently employ 80 personnel.
• Global Marine: provide the vital maintenance services that ensure subsea fibre optic cable systems remain fully operational.
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI): college in Poole is home to the charity’s all weather lifeboat centre where they manufacture their Shannon Class lifeboat.
• Sunseeker: a world leading brand for luxury performance motor yachts, employing over 2000 people and producing around 750 boats every year.
• Actisense: launched an award-winning Actisense brand in 2001, bringing international trade success for the business and their products can be found in over 50 countries globally.
• Cobra Ribs: founded in 1988, has an extraordinary approach to craftsmanship, quality, and attention to detail to design and build exceptional boats.
• Pixii: has a mission to make zero-emission boats the only respectable choice for the next generation of pleasure and commercial boating.
• Maritime UK Southwest: the UK’s largest maritime cluster is based in Dorset and the SW region, providing solutions across growing industries of Marine Autonomy.
• Battlelab: seeks to enable exciting and creative collisions and connections, bringing the right minds together to solve challenging problems and emerging threats.

Dorset universities and colleges provide specialist courses in the marine related research, ensuring it continues to contribute to the highly skilled workforce that the Dorset region already represents.

Bournemouth and Poole, the College offer Marine and Maritime studies. They are the only provider of Marine training in the local area, offering qualifications in subject areas such as Maritime studies, Boatbuilding Marine Engineering, Marine Electricals, and apprenticeships.

Bournemouth University department of Life Environmental Sciences conducts a range of research into the Marine habitats around the UK, helping to protect and preserve a sustainable environmental by understanding our oceans and waters, and creating solutions to help them thrive.

Arts University Bournemouth brings together business, academic and research to enhance the innovation ecosystem of Dorset. They work with a variety of marine organisations within Dorset, helping with some fundamental projects with companies such as Sunseeker, Salmon Power Sports and RNLI Lifeboats.

Invest in Dorset is a team of economic development professionals across Dorset dedicated to helping companies and investors identify investment or expansion opportunities in Dorset, ensuring they get all the support they need to be successful here.