A community of technology firms is working to change shipping from bases in London and southern England.

They are thriving in the UK because of its deep brain pool and its role as a hub for the global shipping industry. However, government support for the maritime sector is not part of the equation.

Silverstream Technologies, which is based in London, has 110 of its fast-growing team of 140 people based in the UK as it provides major shipping organisations — ranging from Carnival Corp to MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company — with its air lubrication systems that use a carpet of bubbles on vessels’ hulls to reduce fuel consumption.