Overview
Marine Economy Week 2024
4 – 7 November 2024
Harper Macleod’s fourth annual Marine Economy Week looked at a wide variety of Scotland’s rich and diverse maritime sector and its related industries.
When you consider that Scotland’s coastline is around 11,500 miles long, more than four times that of England, it underlines the importance of our waters to the economy, natural habitats and communities. Alongside that, with Scotland’s two Green Freeports hitting key milestones and the new Labour government aiming to increase the offshore wind output, global investors are actively looking at major opportunities on our doorstep.
Our programme of virtual events featured a live webinar where attendees will had the opportunity to put questions to our panellists, and on-demand videos available to be watched at any time.
We’ve also be published new insights and articles covering a range of marine topics.
Key contacts
MEW
Our daily virtual sessions
Day one: A year in review
Overview
Join a panel of Harper Macleod experts comprising Chris Kerr (Corporate & Commerical), Euan Pirie (Major Projects & Infrastructure), Omar Ali (Renewable Energy) and Ashley Fleming (Immigration) as they discuss the key topics of the last twelve months, including offshore wind developments, ports and harbour infrastructure and investment, Green Freeports, people and skills, and immigration and modern slavery.
Day two: Ports & harbours
Overview
Chris Kerr, head of Harper Macleod’s Marine Economy team, and Euan Pirie, Major Projects & Infrastructure, in conversation with Jonathan Milne, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Haventus. Haventus is the company behind the redevelopment of Ardersier Port into a world-leading energy transition facility.
The Green Freeports have been a big news story in the last 12 months, not least by Ardersier Port’s inclusion within this significant development for the Highlands, Scotland and the whole of the UK.
Jonathan, Chris and Euan discuss the important role of Scotland’s ports and harbours in the support and delivery of offshore wind projects and the impact the redevelopment is having on the local community.
Watch the conversation with Jonathan Milne here
Day three: Offshore
Overview
The head of Harper Macleod’s renewable energy team, Omar Ali, sits down with William Black, director of renewable energy consultancy ReAmp, to discuss the new Labour government’s plans to quadruple offshore wind output by 2030, the impact that will have on grid connections and how supply chain commitments at the heart of ScotWind will be delivered.
Day four: Skills shortages
Overview
Immigration partner Ashley Fleming chats to Claire Mack, chief executive of industry body Scottish Renewables on the topic of skills challenges in the offshore renewables sector. This topical discussion will look at recent changes to visa requirements for offshore workers and wider changes to the salary thresholds for visa sponsorship. Ashley and Claire will also examine Labour’s plans to address these issues in the short and longer terms.
JOIN US
Join legal and industry specialists to examine crucial issues facing Scotland’s Marine Sector.
Catch up with our on-demand sessions
Marine Economy Week 2023
Watch sessions you may have missed from Marine Economy Week 2023 on-demand.
Catch up on MEW 2023
Marine Economy Week 2022
See what you may have missed from the Marine Economy Week 2022.
Catch up on MEW 2022Insights
Green Freeports: local impact, global opportunity (including video)
Insights
UK Supreme Court issues landmark decision on assessing environmental harm of extracting fossil fuels
Insights
Scotland’s green hydrogen opportunity
Insights
Is the UK’s grid capacity threatening progress towards climate targets?
Insights
Harboured ambitions for Scotland’s maritime infrastructure
Insights
Navigating challenges: Addressing skills shortages in Scotland’s marine economy
Insights