19th June 2025

UK Marine & Naval Sector - Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

The UK’s marine and naval sector is a major source of high-skilled jobs, driven by government investment in shipbuilding, defence, and green technologies. Projects like advanced warships are creating roles in engineering and manufacturing, but skills shortages and ageing infrastructure pose challenges. To stay competitive, the sector must invest in talent, training, and modern facilities to support long-term job growth and innovation.

Progress and Achievements

The UK’s marine and naval sector has seen strong job growth in recent years, supported by strategic investment and innovation. The Strategic Defence Review confirmed a fleet expansion - up to 12 SSN‑AUKUS attack submarines, supporting around 30,000 new roles in shipbuilding, apprenticeships, and engineering.

The review also allocates over £1 billion to AI-driven targeting systems, expansion to cyber and electromagnetic command, and commits £1.5 billion to build six munitions factories. Together, there is a promise of sustained employment for technicians, engineers, software specialists, and skilled trades across the sector.

Ongoing Challenges

The UK marine and naval sector faces ongoing challenges that impact job growth and workforce stability. The industry is grappling with a critical 51% shortage of mechanical fitters and a 67% shortfall in electricians, driven by demand for specialists in AI‑enabled systems, green propulsion, and advanced shipbuilding.

In Scotland, industry figures warn that ageing shipyards, despite recent investments at Clyde and Rosyth, are at risk of decline. Paul Sweeney MSP emphasises that “short-term procurement decisions… continue to haunt the industry,” calling for a unified national shipbuilding strategy similar to Fincantieri’s model to stabilise skills and incentivise long-term investment.

Without sustained procurement and infrastructure renewal, the sector risks losing know‑how and jeopardising long-term employment trajectories.

New and Emerging Opportunities

Despite ongoing challenges, the UK marine and naval sector offers strong job prospects as global demand and technology evolve. For example, the upcoming Type 83 destroyers programme (part of the Future Air Dominance System) is set to extend shipyard activity well into the mid-2040s, securing high-skilled roles in design, systems integration, defence and manufacturing

Thales has secured a £250 million, ten-year Maritime Communications Capability Support (MCCS) contract. This programme supports over 100 jobs in cybersecurity, systems engineering, software, and 24/7 technical operations.

Meanwhile, Project CABOT is progressing with the launch of Atlantic Net. This initiative is creating openings in robotics, data systems, unmanned vessels, defence research, and offshore energy.

These developments are driving demand for skills in cybersecurity, green tech, AI shipbuilding, and autonomy. Continued investment in training and STEM is key to securing the UK’s maritime innovation pipeline.

Looking Ahead

The UK’s marine and naval sector is poised for growth through major projects like SSN‑AUKUS, Type 83, and Project CABOT, creating high-skilled roles in green tech, autonomy, and AI. To stay competitive, the industry must close skills gaps, modernise infrastructure, and streamline procurement, ensuring long-term strength in maritime innovation and defence.

Looking to grow your team in the marine or naval sector? Speak to the experts at Owen Daniels to find skilled professionals who can power your next project.