UK Flag Forum 2026: Innovation, Safety & Sustainable Growth
Uniting Regulation, Technology and Industry for a Competitive UK Flag and Maritime Offer
Join us for the UK Flag Forum 2026: Innovation, Safety & Sustainable Growth, a full day event bringing together UK Flag customers, shipowners, industry leaders, innovators and government partners together to help shape the future direction of the UK maritime sector.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is pleased to host this invitation only event, highlighting how the UK Flag is responding to emerging priorities in safety, sustainability, digital transformation and technological innovation.
The Forum will also showcase the new UK Maritime Innovation Hub, alongside the latest £448m UKSHORE programme, demonstrating how investment, regulation and technology are being aligned to turn promising ideas into practical outcomes that strengthen UK shipping for the future.
Attendees will gain insight into the UK Flag’s evolving capabilities and its continued commitment to high standards across the global maritime sector.
The morning session features keynote addresses from Minister Keir Mather MP and MCA senior leaders, followed by panel discussions exploring economic growth, investment opportunities and maritime innovation.
In the afternoon, delegates can choose between two parallel programme tracks:
Programme Track A – UK Flag: Focused discussions on UK Flag services, frontline transformation, seafarer training, domestic regulation updates, and an open Q&A with MCA and industry representatives.
Programme Track B – Maritime Innovation Hub: Sessions highlighting the UK’s maritime Research and Development (R&D) landscape, UKSHORE programmes, innovators’ experiences, and next generation technologies including nuclear propulsion.
Throughout the day, meeting spaces will be available for one-to-one engagements with MCA senior leaders, technical specialists, UKSHORE, and Innovate UK.
The Forum will conclude with the MCA’s inaugural UK Flag Recognition Awards, celebrating excellence in collaboration, safety, decarbonisation and seafarer development, followed by a networking reception.
This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with sector leaders and government representatives, contribute to the future of UK maritime, and engage directly with the MCA and its partners.
Schedule
Registration: from 08:15
Morning Session: 09:15
Lunch & Networking: 12:15–13:15
Afternoon Session: 13:15
Networking Reception: 17:10–19:00
Schedule subject to change. The final detailed programme will be sent to delegates prior to the event.
Please update your RSVP at any time.