Maritime UK Solent has signed an MOU with Canada’s Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OTCNS), with the regions looking to cooperate and boost maritime investment.

Maritime UK Solent is the regional sector-based cluster working to promote the maritime strengths of the Solent region on the UK’s south coast. OTCNS represents the ocean technology and industry sector in Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada.

“This exciting collaboration with Nova Scotia will allow us to explore more opportunities for our maritime clusters to work together and prosper,” says Maritime UK Solent chair Anne-Marie Mountifield.

“The joint signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) marks a new era in international cooperation for us, which will undoubtedly highlight the Solent’s maritime strengths and innovation on a global scale. We welcome this new development and look forward to our regular participation with OTCNS moving forward.”

Chris Bourque, executive director at OTCNS adds: “OTCNS is looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Maritime UK Solent and expanding international business relationships.”

The collaboration between the two regions is a result of a sister city international economic partnership between Halifax and the City of Portsmouth, formalised in January 2023, to expand on both cities’ work to develop ocean sector opportunities.

“I am delighted that the relationship that Portsmouth has developed with our sister city Halifax in Nova Scotia and is growing into a significant economic partnership, not only between our two cities but across our region,” says leader of Portsmouth City Council, councillor Steve Pitt. “This partnership holds real opportunities for the economies of both our great cities.”

The signing of the MOU follows an online event on 4 March 2024, the International Maritime Business Showcase: Maritime Security, which will be the first of a series of online events. Attendees heard from councillor Pitt, Halifax mayor Mike Savage, and from eight organisations working in marine security: Red Penguin Marine, Subsea Craft, Griffon Hoverwork and Sirius Analysis, all from the Solent region; and Deep Vision, Spiri Robotics, Jasco Applied Sciences and eOceans from Halifax.

“As global leaders, we are excited to partner with the City of Portsmouth and Maritime UK Solent to develop new business and innovation opportunities that will strengthen our ocean sectors and generate economic growth in both our regions,” says Savage.

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