THE ongoing drive to develop and diversify regional expertise in the maritime industry is set to continue with a marine equipment seminar at the Marine Safety Training Centre of South Tyneside College in South Shields this month.

In conjunction with regional partners including the Tyne Marine Group and the British Marine Equipment Council (BMEC), regional development agency One NorthEast is organising the Ferry & Cruise Vessel Symposium.

The event, on Wednesday, October 18, is supported by BMEC and the Department of Trade & Industry.

It will include discussions amongst delegates seeking to increase competitiveness and to identify local, national and international market opportunities for marine equipment suppliers. The symposium has attracted speakers from First Marine International, Carnival Lines and South Shields based company Solar Solve Marine, which manufactures anti-glare, heat rejecting screens and blinds for ship windows.

One NorthEast director of operations Peter Stoddart said: "This event is designed to bring together all the companies in what is currently a fragmented industry.

"It has been estimated that 70 per cent of the price of an ocean-going vessel is made up from the marine equipment supply chain.

"North-East companies in the industry must recognise the need to work together to compete internationally and exploit the potential of the marine sector to the full."

Arthur Chadwick, vice principal of South Tyneside College, said: "South Tyneside College is delighted to have been given the opportunity to host this important symposium.

"Delegates will have an opportunity to see some of the first-class resources which the College has to support its training for the merchant navies of the world."

A free benchmarking opportunity to all the companies who attend the symposium will allow them to see where they stand in relation to European industry.

The benchmarking system, PILOT, has been compiled by IBM, the London Business School and the CBI and is supported in the region by the University of Northumbria.

Solar Solve Marine won new business from the 1999 event. Managing director Julie Lightfoot said: "Attending the seminar last year helped our company secure more sunscreen orders from Chantier de l'Atlantique as we were given the opportunity to meet with a representative from the shipbuilder."

To attend the Ferry & Cruise Vessel Symposium should contact Karen Moody at One NorthEast on (0191) 269 9937.