THE Southampton-based cruise giant Carnival UK is among the first four sponsors for the inaugural Maritime UK Solent Awards.

Portsmouth international Port, the Royal Navy and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership are the other organisations signed up to back the event.

Industry group Maritime UK Solent is organising the awards, which will be run by the industry to celebrate the success of the region’s maritime UK sector.

Award categories will reflect the key themes of the government’s first long-term strategy for the sector, Maritime 2050.

Carnival UK president Sture Myrmell said: “P&O Cruises and Cunard are two of the leading cruise lines in the world with iconic and contemporary fleets.

“Our ships sail year round from our home port of Southampton and we are immensely proud of the significant economic contribution and benefit which each ship turnaround brings to the local and regional area.

“Compliance, diversity, sustainability and innovation are at the heart of all that we do so it is therefore fitting that we are sponsors of these Maritime UK Solent Awards which will recognise excellence in each of these areas.”

Maritime UK Solent is inviting other businesses to sponsor the 12 categories, which include future skills, clean maritime innovation, international trade and apprenticeships.

The awards will be judged by a panel of internationally recognised maritime leaders and are open for entries until August 26.

Finalists in each category will be announced on September 22, during the Southampton International Boat Show, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on October 14 at the Leonardo Royal Southampton Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton.

The chair of Maritime UK Solent, Anne-Marie Mountifield, said: We are very excited to be launching the inaugural awards programme.

“Recognising the outstanding success of our maritime sector in the Solent, the awards offer a unique opportunity to showcase this globally leader cluster. We are delighted to be working with Carnival, the Royal Navy, Solent LEP and Portsmouth International Port and we are hugely grateful to them for enabling the delivery of this regional celebration of our fantastic maritime sector."

More details of sponsorship packages can be found at solentlep.org.uk/muksolent/maritime-uk-solent-awards-2022