Marine Innovation in Plymouth and the South West

Article by Plymouth and South Devon Freeport

Plymouth and South Devon Freeport is a partner for Growth Forge 2025, a business acceleration programme for ambitious tech companies. Learn more here.

Plymouth, and the South West, is at the forefront of marine innovation, not just nationally, but internationally, with the sector strongly supported by the strategic initiatives of the Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport. PASD Freeport supports businesses in their growth ambitions, with a range of tax benefits and other support that reduce the cost of business expansion. It’s part of a network of assets and partners that brings together advanced marine technologies, fosters partnerships and encourages collaboration.

Plymouth itself is home to the UK’s first Marine Enterprise Zone at Oceansgate which is adjacent to the Freeport’s South Yard tax site. Located in Devonport, the Oceansgate development provides easy access to Smart Sound Plymouth for innovative businesses wishing to develop marine and defence capabilities. Smart Sound is a world-leading fully instrumented and managed marine innovation testbed covering 1000 sq km of ocean in and offshore from Plymouth Sound making it the UK’s premier proving area for designing, testing and developing cutting edge products and services for the marine sector. Smart Sound is led by a partnership between Plymouth Marine Laboratory, the universities of Plymouth and Exeter and the Marine Biological Association. Making use of its facilities and expertise in the area is the Future Autonomous at Sea Technologies (FAST) cluster of over 50 businesses and research organisations in the south west all working at the leading edge of marine autonomy.

The Freeport area benefits more broadly from the University of Plymouth which provides a centre of excellence for ground-breaking world-leading research and innovation, supporting academic-industry knowledge exchange across the Freeport’s target sectors of marine, defence, space, advanced manufacturing, engineering and net zero tech. Plymouth Science Park is a world-class centre of excellence for ground-breaking research, business and laboratory innovation – its 25-acre campus is the region’s largest science and technology centre.

Further afield, the University of Exeter brings specific expertise for clean propulsion via the Centre for Future Clean Mobility (CFCM) based at Exeter Science Park. This facility provides state-of-the-art research, testing and proving assets to drive the development of alternative propulsion technologies in the marine and defence sectors. While in Torbay, the Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre provides facilities and support for emerging marine, defence and space technologies as well as other advanced manufacturing sectors.

Maritime UK SW also provide a network of innovation advisors who can help businesses work with research partners and facilities across the south west of England. 

PASD Freeport is able to support businesses in the sector looking to grow with its unique offering. Eligible businesses have a range of flexible premises and opportunities across the Freeport’s three tax sites (South Yard, Langage and Sherford) and can take advantage of preferential tax and customs incentives and benefits providing they locate in the Freeport by September 2031. These include zero Employer’s NI for 3 years on the portion of salaries up to £25k and zero business rates for 5 years.

Plymouth, South Devon and the wider region is a great place for marine tech innovation, product development, test and trial and supporting businesses who are bringing products and services to market. To find out more about PASD Freeport and how we may help your business please get in touch via info@pasdfreeport.com 

PASD Freeport are proud to be sponsoring the first year of this Marine Tech accelerator thread.

Image Credit: Plymouth City Council