Charting the future: Why the Isle of Man is a maritime powerhouse

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Isle of Man Maritime Powerhouse event at Bradda Glen in Port Erin – a stunning location that perfectly reflected the natural beauty and maritime heritage that our Island is so proud of.

As we were blessed with unusually sunny weather for the Island, the event allowed both locals and visitors from further afield the opportunity to marvel at the natural beauty of Port Erin Bay with views down to the Sound and Calf of Man. But more importantly, it brought together a group of maritime leaders, policymakers, innovators, and industry stakeholders – all gathered with a shared ambition: to explore the Isle of Man’s role as a growing force in the global maritime sector.

From the latest in digital transformation and sustainable innovation to seafarer training and collaboration, one message was clear throughout the day: the Isle of Man is a powerhouse and has the talent, infrastructure and collaborative mindset to compete with the world’s best maritime clusters.

Celebrating the Island's Progress

The afternoon opened with speeches from Isle of Man Maritime Managing Director, Lee Clarke, and Isle of Man Chief Minister Alf Cannan, who both championed the Island's maritime progress - particularly the achievements of the Isle of Man Ship Registry, which PDMS has proudly supported in its transformation journey over the years. Backed by data from Clarksons, the Isle of Man now ranks 19th globally on the World Fleet Register and sits confidently on the Paris and Tokyo MoU whitelists, reinforcing the Island’s position as a trusted and forward-thinking maritime jurisdiction.

This sentiment was echoed by Maritime UK CEO, Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE, who highlighted the Island's strong ecosystem and community who all work together for a greater goal. We are well-positioned on the Island with our location in the Irish Sea and intrinsic links with clusters like Mersey Maritime (almost 200 years with the Steam Packet alone), so as he aptly put it:

"The Isle of Man maritime cluster is powerful and very, very unique"

The Chief Minister also shared a poignant reminder that heritage and innovation go hand-in-hand, as evidenced by The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the oldest continuously operating passenger shipping company in the world. Established in 1830, it is fast approaching its 200th anniversary yet it continues to thrive and demonstrates how tradition continues to anchor a dynamic and evolving industry where the world’s oceans are transforming economically, environmentally and technologically.

Panel One - The Maritime Connection: Isle of Man & UK 

Moderator: Lee Clarke - Managing Director at Isle of Man Maritime

Panellists:

• Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE - CEO at Maritime UK
• Kerry Muldoon - NIMO Facilitator
• Simon Eardley - Head of Policy & Innovation at Mersey Maritime
• Ben Hextall - Managing Director at OceanWeb

The first panel explored the power of regional maritime clusters and emphasised the need for continued collaboration across regions. With deep-rooted ties between the Isle of Man and Merseyside, and growing links with NIMO, the conversation focused on leveraging shared opportunities across the Irish Sea.

Key takeaways include:

• Unified voice, amplified impact – UK maritime clusters must work together, not in competition but as a cohesive network. When aligned, they can influence regulation, drive innovation, and attract investment
• Skills and infrastructure matter – The Isle of Man boasts agile companies, robust professional services, and close proximity to offshore energy hubs, making it a natural maritime centre
• Youth and tech are the future – To attract the next generation, we need to communicate that the industry is high-tech, dynamic and wide-reaching – far beyond the stereotypes of navy officers and grizzled sea dogs

Panel Two - People Power: The Skills Behind Maritime Excellence

Moderator: Lee Clarke - Managing Director at Isle of Man Maritime

Panellists:

• Mike Deegan - Secretary at Maritime Skills Alliance
• Sara Hextall - Director at OceanWeb
• Anna Kaparaki - Lecturer in Maritime Law at Liverpool John Moore's University
• Alfie Hincks - CEO and Instructor at Seascope Maritime Training

The Isle of Man and the UK maritime clusters haven’t appeared overnight – they’ve grown based on their ecosystem of people and the second panel highlighted the central role of people in building maritime’s future. From apprenticeships to university pathways, the panellists emphasised the need to use our existing wealth of training resources and demystify careers in maritime, particularly those not at sea.

It was clear that education and outreach must begin early – in schools, through social media, and via clear career pathways that appeal to young people. There was also an honest discussion about accessibility: training must be affordable and supported, especially on the Island, where the Department for Enterprise plays an active role.

The message was optimistic but clear: “It’s a job for life – but not in the traditional sense.” Maritime offers diverse and evolving career options, and we must work harder to ensure everyone knows it.

Keynote: Nature, Culture and Responsibility 

Sarah Mercer from Earthscope gave a powerful keynote reminding us that sustainability must be more than a buzzword. With the Bradda Glen setting as a living example, she reinforced how nature and culture are intertwined both on the Island and within the wider maritime industry. Though focused primarily on the sea, the maritime sector has a duty of care to the environment more widely and Sarah highlighted why protecting our environment is fundamental to maritime’s long-term success.

As she said:

“Resolutions mean little without implementation.”

Panel Three - Smart Seas: Navigating Maritime's Digital Future 

Moderator: Chris Kissack - Business Development Manager at Acclaim

Panellists:

• Catriona Watt - CEO at PDMS
• Eleanor Harding - Counsel at Appleby
• Kate Teare - Brand Strategist at Studio Voyage

In the final panel, with PDMS’ own Catriona Watt in the hot seat, the focus turned to maritime innovation. While the sector may not be leading in AI or digital adoption compared to other industries, there is immense potential – especially when smaller, nimble companies are supported through partnerships and knowledge sharing at forums such as the Powerhouse event itself. 

The panellists explored how the maritime sector can strike the balance between heritage and progress. Authenticity and trust still carry weight in this traditional industry – but that doesn’t mean standing still. We can keep the quality and standards high without doing the exact same as our predecessors, so it's a balance between respect and innovation. 

Highlights from the discussion include:

• Lawyers as enablers – Bring legal expertise in early to guide innovation strategy and avoid issues downstream with IP, regulations or commercialisation
• Authenticity wins – In an industry built on relationships, authentic stories and human voices resonate far more than AI-generated content
• Small is powerful – Innovation doesn’t always come from multinationals. With the right backing, small maritime firms can lead the charge in delivering smart, sustainable solutions

What's next for maritime on the Isle of Man?

The event ended with a powerful sense of momentum. The Isle of Man may be small in size, but the ambition, capability, and collaboration on display prove that it is anything but small in impact.

As a company deeply embedded in the digital evolution of maritime, PDMS sees first-hand how technology, people, and partnerships are transforming the sector. Forums like this don’t just celebrate progress – they foster the ideas and connections that drive it forward.

The Island has everything it needs: a supportive government, innovative businesses, skilled people, and a unique maritime heritage. What comes next is about working together – across clusters, generations, and disciplines – to ensure the Isle of Man continues to punch above its weight on the global stage. And at PDMS, we can’t wait to go on this journey with them.

To find out more on how we support the maritime sector, please visit our Maritime Services page