This year's national Coastal Powerhouse Summit will be held in the Solent on 26th March 2025 at the iconic Ocean Terminal in Southampton.

The week will include the Coastal Powerhouse Conference on 26th March at ABP’s Ocean Terminal in Southampton – a landmark conference bringing together industry leaders, academics, policymakers, and startups to accelerate innovation and decarbonisation across the coastal and maritime economy. Day 2 of the event on 27th March at Ocean Terminal will focus on Maritime Futures: People and Innovation with talks and demonstrations.

The event will feature prominent speakers as well as a panel discussion on port sustainability and seminar sessions on Clean Maritime and Autonomous Maritime. The event will see the launch of the Economic impact report into the Solent’s maritime sector and on-the-water demonstrations of the latest innovations.

Day 1: Maritime Sustainability (March 26) 

Insights from prominent speakers including Mike Kane MP, Alastair Welch (Port Director at ABP), Chris Shirling-Rooke (Chief Executive of Maritime UK), and Anne-Marie Mountifield (Chair of Maritime UK Solent). 

Expert panel discussions on port sustainability led by ABP. 

Solent Maritime Excellence Seminars on Clean Maritime led by Jamie Holmes of NASH Maritime and Autonomous Maritime, led by Dan Hook of RAD Propulsion 

ABP's EVA Southampton Innovation Exchange, part of the Energy Ventures Accelerator (EVA) programme, in partnership with innovation platform and investor, Plug and Play, offering opportunities to pitch innovative projects. The event is hosted by the UK’s biggest ports operator, Associated British Ports (ABP) and Maritime UK Solent. With a focus on maritime decarbonisation, the sessions will highlight Southampton as a pivotal hub for the UK’s energy transition, showcasing cutting-edge innovation and collaboration opportunities. 

Day 2: Maritime Futures: People, Innovation & Trade (March 27) 

Talks on mentoring and apprenticeships, featuring the Maritime UK Solent 2024 Apprentice of the Year, Noorhantosha Sharrai. 

Launch of the Maritime UK Solent Future Leaders programme. 

Innovation sessions with on-the-water demonstrations of the latest maritime technology. 

Insights from Innovate UK and the University of Southampton on funding opportunities and plans for the Centre for Green Maritime Innovation (cGMI). 

Throughout both days, exhibition space will be available, offering unique opportunities to network with industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. Delegates will also have the chance to book site visits to explore the region’s cutting-edge facilities. 

Early bird ticket prices are available until March 7. Maritime UK Solent Strategic Partners will receive three complimentary tickets, Partners will receive two and Launch Pad partners will receive one complimentary ticket for the Summit. 
Find out more and book your tickets here.