That's a Wrap! Crossborder Marine Industry Networking Event & Tour

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October for our Cross-Border Marine Industry Networking Event & Tour, jointly organised by Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) and the Marine Ireland Industry Network (MIIN).

Despite challenging weather conditions, we were thrilled to welcome around 40 participants each day—a strong turnout that reflects the enthusiasm and commitment across the marine sector.

We extend a special thanks to the companies that generously hosted our industry tours and to those who contributed to Friday’s presentation session. Your support and insights were invaluable to the event’s success.

This two-day event highlighted the importance of staying connected across the island. Through initiatives like this, MIIN and NIMO aim to foster meaningful collaboration between marine companies, researchers, and organisations—promoting knowledge-sharing and unlocking new opportunities for our members.

We look forward to building on the connections made and continuing to support a strong and resilient marine industry across Ireland.

Thursday Recap: Industry Tours & Evening Networking Dinner

Our cross-border marine networking event got off to a fantastic start on Thursday afternoon, beginning with an insightful industry tour of local NIMO members and culminating in a lively evening of networking in Newry.

🚢 MJM Marine – Newry

Our first stop was MJM Marine, where Damien Morgan delivered an engaging presentation outlining the company’s history, facilities, and impressive offerings. MJM provides turnkey outfitting solutions for all types of vessels—including cruise ships, ferries, and yachts.

We were then given a guided tour of their workshop, where we saw first-hand the craftsmanship and innovation that goes into their world-class marine fit-outs. The visit concluded with a lunch, kindly provided by MJM Marine, setting the tone for a day of hospitality and learning.

⚓ Kilkeel Industry Visits

After lunch, we headed to Kilkeel, where we were welcomed at the Nautilus Centre by Davey Hill of SeaSource Offshore. Davey shared how the company has evolved from its roots in fishing to offering specialist offshore vessel services—particularly in sectors such as offshore wind and subsea cabling.

We also heard from Russel Shepcar of DR Maritime, who spoke about their role as the UK’s largest independent provider of guard and support vessels, operating across Europe. Both SeaSource and DR Maritime are headquartered in Kilkeel and exemplify the region’s growing offshore capabilities.

Next, we made our way to G Smyth Boats, a respected local boat builder based at Kilkeel Harbour. Known for building durable fishing boats and offering repair services, the company also showcased their new 12-metre catamaran fishing vessel, which was on display in their boat shed.

🍽️ Evening Networking Dinner – Newry

We rounded off the day back in Newry with an evening networking dinner and drinks reception. Guests were welcomed by Liam Curran of Enterprise Ireland and Sam McCloskey, the newly appointed Chairperson of Northern Ireland Maritime & Offshore (NIMO).

The relaxed setting offered the perfect opportunity for industry professionals from across the island to connect, exchange ideas, and explore future opportunities for collaboration.

Friday Morning: Showcasing Local Marine Industry & Cross-Border Supports

We began Friday morning with a session dedicated to highlighting local Marine Ireland Industry Network (MIIN) members, giving them the opportunity to share insights into their work and showcase the valuable products and services they offer to the wider marine sector.

We also welcomed representatives from InterTradeIreland, who outlined the cross-border supports available to companies operating both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These programmes can be a vital resource for businesses seeking to grow, collaborate, or innovate across jurisdictions.

💡 Marine Industry Presentations

We were pleased to hear from a range of dynamic marine companies, each contributing unique skills and solutions to the sector. Presenting companies included:

• Spotlight on CREDIT Technology Gateway - Dominic McLarnon

• Spotlight on Enerview Solutions - Gavin McBride
• Spotlight on Ridgeway Rockbags - Gavin Donnelly
• Spotlight on ReTech Offshore - Shane Reenan & Niall Reenan
• Doyle Shipping Group’s Development of Greenore Port – Niall McCarthy
• InterTrade Ireland – Business Supports – Joanne McEvoy

This collaborative session reinforced the value of connecting across borders and sectors to strengthen the marine and offshore industries across the island of Ireland.

After the morning presentations, we boarded the tour bus once again—this time heading south for the final leg of our cross-border marine industry tour.

🚛 Greenore Port

Our first stop was Greenore Port, where we were welcomed aboard (the bus!) by Niall McCarthy, who acted as our guide for a rolling tour of the port’s facilities. Niall provided a fascinating overview of Greenore’s operations and strategic importance, all from the comfort of the tour bus—ideal, given the less-than-ideal weather conditions! We'll definitely be back on a sunnier day for a proper look.

🌊 Xocean – Rathcor

Just a short drive from Greenore, we arrived at Xocean’s facility in Rathcor, where we were met by Finn Delaney and his colleagues. They gave us a comprehensive introduction to the company and a technical overview of their Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs)—several of which were in the workshop during our visit.

Xocean’s cutting-edge technology enables the collection and delivery of ocean data to offshore clients through remotely operated, low-impact vessels—offering a glimpse into the future of marine data acquisition and sustainability.

🥪 Farewell Lunch – Newry

We wrapped up the two-day event with a well-earned lunch back in Newry, where hot soup and sandwiches were a welcome treat after a morning full of learning, networking, and travel.

On behalf of the MIIN and NIMO teams, we want to thank everyone who joined us over the two days. Your participation, engagement, and energy made this event a success.

We look forward to welcoming you at future MIIN and NIMO events, as we continue to strengthen connections across Ireland’s growing marine and offshore industries.

About NIMO

Northern Ireland Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) was formed in 2023, as a not for profit organisation to bring together members from across industry, government and academia as a regional cluster with a clear purpose “to unite the Maritime and Offshore sectors in Northern Ireland to drive local economic expansion and unlock opportunities sustainably, through innovation and collaboration”.  

About MIIN

The Marine Ireland Industry Network (MIIN) is made up of a diverse array of companies, state organisations, research groups and higher education institutes, working in Ireland’s blue economy. The Network was established in 2016 with the aim of bringing together the many elements of Marine Ireland focusing on building collaborations and providing opportunities for members to showcase their successes. Ultimately building an impactful profile for Ireland’s marine industry at home and abroad.