The UK Minister for Exports, and former UK Net Zero Business Champion, Andrew Griffith, has visited Northern Ireland to meet two Belfast-based companies at the forefront of developing innovative new technologies.
He visited Artemis Technologies to meet CEO Iain Percy, where the Minister drove a boat simulator and viewed the zero emissions, 100% electric, high-speed foiling workboat range in action in the Musgrave Channel.
Artemis Technologies is an expert in green maritime innovation, leading the decarbonisation of the maritime industry, through the sale of a range of electric foiling workboats and the current development of a city-to-city passenger ferry which is unlocking zero-emission high-speed maritime transport, utilising the Artemis eFoiler ™ electric propulsion system.
Speaking about the visit, Iain Percy, CEO of Artemis Technologies said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister to our facility here on Queen’s Island, where he was able to view our range of zero emissions, electric foiling workboats that will be exported around the world. Our decision to locate the business in Northern Ireland was due to the talent available on these shores and we’re continually recruiting to ensure Belfast is a global player in the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.”
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The Minister was also given a preview of the designs for the company’s electric foiling passenger ferry which we will launch to market next month.
Minister Griffith also visited Spirit AeroSystems to meet with Vice President Michael Ryan and complete a tour of the wing factory. Spirit has recently won a contract to develop the wing for the City Airbus NextGen electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Michael Ryan, Vice President, European Space & Defence, and Government Affairs, Spirit AeroSystems said: “Minister Griffith saw first-hand the award-winning technology we use to produce fully integrated wings for the Airbus A220 aircraft family, which flies in the liveries of more than 15 airlines on over 700 routes and 300 destinations worldwide.”
Commenting on his visits, Minister for Exports Andrew Griffith said: “Northern Ireland is bursting with immense opportunity, creativity, and talent. Companies here are competing globally with new business ideas that are made in Northern Ireland and sold to the world.”
RELATED: Department for International Trade (DIT) launches Northern Ireland hub
The Minister added: “Seeing Artemis Technologies’ cutting-edge zero-emission vessels in action and viewing the innovative capabilities powering Spirit Aerosystems’ wing factory, it’s easy to see why Belfast has been named one of the Top 10 Digital Economies of the Future. It’s great to see businesses like these creating high value jobs in Northern Ireland, leading the way on exports and fuelling the UK’s path to Net Zero.”
Spirit is also supporting the neighbouring Artemis project in Belfast by adapting its aerospace composites capability for maritime application.
During his Belfast visit Minister Griffith also met with Economy Minister Gordon Lyons to sign an agreement aimed at helping Northern Ireland businesses of all sizes enhance their exporting skills by delivering export support training through the UK Export Academy. Northern Ireland businesses can find out more here.
DIT has recently established a new trade and investment hub in Belfast to bring more investment, jobs and export opportunities into Northern Ireland. DIT will work hand-in-hand with businesses of all sizes in Northern Ireland to help them to succeed in the global marketplace through a first class-export support framework which includes the expansion of DIT’s UK Export Academy to businesses across Northern Ireland for the first time.
Source: Written from press release.
