SEAWORK Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition has seen a busy three days of contract signings, demonstrations, and unveilings at its new home in Southampton’s Mayflower Park

New Zealand-based Naiad Design announced the signing of a new licence agreement with Wales’ Holyhead Marine Services to manufacture all vessels in the Naiad Design Range of RHIBS. 

Golden Arrow Marine also announced that it had an exclusive UK distributor for STT Emtec. 

The two are now introducing an effective solution to greatly reduce NOx emissions from high speed diesel engines on the UK and Irish marine market. 

Sea Sure unveiled an innovative new suspension unit, which was developed as an economical way of improving passenger ride quality in smaller commercial craft.

Their shock mitigation system combines the latest shock absorber technology, clever geometry, construction bearing systems and g-force monitoring into a single unit. 

James Fisher Marine Services and SC Innovation demonstrating the specialist offshore vessel, Dart Fisher, for the first time at Seawork International, highlighting the vessel’s operational capabilities and high carrying capacity. 

Seawork’s conferences aboard the Ocean Scene conference vessel, sessions covered a range of topics, including: “Hybrid Power and the Hour of Power for workboats and patrol vessels” delivered by John Haynes, Shock Mitigation and “Innovations for fast craft systems and training” by Dr Trevor Dobbins.

The SSA hosted their annual cocktail reception at which attendees could meet SSA’s co-exhibitors; Pallion Engineering Limited, Shock Mitigation, Southampton University, Premier Hytemp, Safeguard Engineering, The Senora Trust and UK Electronic Solution. 

Councillor Simon Letts, leader of Southampton City Council, opened Seawork International on Tuesday.

Councillor Letts was joined by the Deputy High Commissioner of Barbados, Althea Wiggins.

Cllr Simon Letts, Leader of Southampton City Council commented, “It’s been good to see all the local companies that are engaged here with Seawork and have conversations with some key local employers.

“It is obvious to me that Seawork obviously adds a great deal of value to the local maritime community.” 

He added: “The Mayflower Park offers the only space in the city where you can access the waterfront as a member of the public and is very precious to the City of Southampton, so we are delighted to have Seawork here as an additional event adding value to our maritime heritage.”

It is also the site of our new Royal Pier redevelopment over the next five years and this part of the city will change immeasurably and make Seawork an even better event than it is today.”

The new location has enabled Seawork to expand its offerings to the anticipated 7,500 attendees, which includes more than 70 vessels and craft afloat, two purpose-built exhibition halls, plus waterside features and exhibits. 

Ms Wiggins explained that a delegation from Barbados was at the event to talk to investors and partners about launching new commuter ferry services on the Caribbean island in a bid to reduce congestion the roads around the capital, Georgetown.