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UK Space Agency ready to ‘unlock’ benefits of satellite data and services for logistics sector
The government has this week announced ‘Unlocking Space for Business’, an 18-month programme designed to allow hundreds of organisations across the UK – with a focus on the leading transport, logistics and financial services sectors – to harness the advantages offered by satellites through enhanced imagery, connectivity and navigation capabilities.
Opportunity areas for logistics include using satellite imagery to improve the measurement of climate variables; satellite position and navigation to support location tracking; and enabling the movement of people and satellite connectivity to help maritime crews keep in touch with operators and families on shore.
“As a highly innovate sector and a significant user of satellite services to plan and deliver efficient logistics services, we look forward to engaging with this new UK Space Agency programme to enable logistics businesses to drive further benefit to the UK economy,” said Ben Garratt, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at Logistics UK.
“We welcome the programme’s focus on the logistics sector as a priority. As the sector strives to decarbonise and build resilience from climate impacts, satellite data will become even more important to all logistics businesses.”
Unlocking Space for Business will provide workshops, networking events, learning and development sessions and online resources to support companies in their understanding of what satellite data and services can mean for them as well as offering the opportunity to bid for a share of up to £6 million UK Space Agency funding later this year to help launch innovative pilot projects, data procurement or partnerships.
“With UK space open for business like never before, sectors as diverse as transport and finance have a huge opportunity to bring the benefits of satellite data down to Earth and improve their operations, deliver for customers and ultimately grow their industries,” said George Freeman MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Geraint Evans, Chief Executive of the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG), agrees: “Major ports and the wider maritime sector are at the forefront of the technological revolution and satellite services has the potential to play a key role in driving even greater efficiencies, safety and the growth of international trade through our British ports.”
Organisations are invited to register their interest to get involved with the project and keep up to date with planned activities including Insight and Networking Events, Exploration Workshops and learning and development sessions ahead of the funding call opening later in the year.
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Published On: 19/10/2023 14:30:00
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