Marine
A new era of industry
With ocean on three sides and the Celtic Sea on the doorstep, Cornwall’s geography made its marine industry inevitable. For centuries, Cornish communities have lived and worked by the sea – fishing its waters, building its vessels and navigating its storms. That history has built the ports, expertise and specialist businesses that make Cornwall one of the UK’s most significant marine economies.
The Opportunity
Today, 805 marine companies employ more than 16,000 people locally, generating over £1bn for the Cornish economy every year. And what’s coming next – floating offshore wind (FLOW), advanced marine manufacturing, and a growing role in the UK’s naval supply chain – is set to take things to a whole new level.
Built for FLOW. Vital for defence
The Celtic Sea holds one of the world’s largest FLOW resources — and Falmouth, the world’s third deepest natural harbour, is already working with developers on supply chain, lay-up and operations. The same deep-water infrastructure that services Royal Navy vessels today is being upgraded to become the operational base the Celtic Sea needs tomorrow. Investment is already flowing. Cornwall is positioning itself at the centre of both.
Deep expertise. Deeper ambitions
Cornwall’s marine sector has always adapted to what the ocean demands. For centuries that meant fishing, boatbuilding and naval support. Now it’s FLOW, autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing – and we’re already moving to meet it.
With over 800 specialist businesses representing 7% of the UK’s marine companies, Cornwall is working with developers, government and the Royal Navy to capture the full value of what’s coming. Port infrastructure investment is progressing too, removing the final barrier to full-scale delivery.
Manufacturing a cleaner ocean
Cornwall’s marine sector has always built things, and that craft is now expanding into something more ambitious.
Cornish boatbuilders are incorporating electric and alternative fuel systems into new vessels, reducing emissions from the water up. Specialist manufacturers are producing the anchors, moorings and subsea cables that FLOW demands. And the region’s marine technology businesses are developing the uncrewed vessel systems that both FLOW operations and modern naval defence depend on.
Cornwall’s marine industry isn’t just building for the ocean; it’s helping decarbonise it – and in the process, unlocking a projected 5% yearly sector growth rate and 2,000 additional high-value jobs.
£1.12bn
annual GDP from Cornwall’s marine sector
16,052 people employed
in Cornwall’s marine sector today
805 marine companies
7% of all UK marine businesses
The world’s 3rd deepest natural harbour
is Falmouth
2,000+ additional jobs
projected from Marine sector investment
£100m+
annual economic contribution from RNAS Culdrose alone
Morek Engineering | Falmouth
Specialising in mooring design and offshore construction for the FLOW market
A&P Falmouth | Falmouth
One of the UK’s leading ship repair and conversion yards
Cornwall Marine Network | Cornwall-wide
A not-for-profit owned by more than 300 local marine businesses
The Opportunity
Part of something bigger
Cornwall’s marine sector doesn’t operate in isolation; it’s part of something bigger. Each project connects to something broader – an ecosystem where progress in one sector powers the next.
