Groundbreaking collaboration for maritime research

The University has joined forces with Lloyd’s Register to form the largest research collaboration of its kind in the UK, set to become a world-leading centre for innovation, business and education.

An initial investment of £116m is creating a state-of-the-art technology and training campus, due to open in 2014. The new hub will enable University engineers and students to work on joint projects with staff from Lloyd’s Register, a not-for-profit company whose global business focuses on the marine, transport and risk management sectors.

Researchers and industry experts at the new campus will work on innovations in transport, energy and the environment. They will aim to identify and tackle the challenges that businesses and communities worldwide face in these areas, such as the need for cleaner fuels, ‘greener’ ships, safer work environments and more dependable infrastructure.

Southampton researchers are already pioneering new approaches to making ships more environmentally friendly, and our partnership with Lloyd’s Register will mean this research can be rapidly applied to real-world applications.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam comments: “Building on our 40-year history of collaboration in ship science, marine and energy-related projects, this alliance will extend our cooperation to create new technologies that address some of society’s most pressing problems.”

At the heart of the new campus, known as the Maritime Centre of Excellence, will be a new Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute. This will bring together Southampton’s wide range of expertise in maritime engineering, ocean science, law and business, and strengthen links with existing marine businesses on the south coast. The Maritime Centre of Excellence has received funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the South of England Economic Development Agency.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam comments: “Building on our 40-year history of collaboration in ship science, marine and energy-related projects, this alliance will extend our cooperation to create new technologies that address some of society’s most pressing problems.”