Marine Engineering and Shipbuilding

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

Marine engineering and shipbuilding have a rich history in the UK, but they remain areas of continuous technical innovation today. From improving hull designs and propulsion systems to developing advanced navigation technologies and low-emission vessels, UK companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible at sea.

However, designing, building, and maintaining marine vessels involves far more than following established methods. Many projects require businesses to overcome technical uncertainties, whether in material performance, environmental conditions, or system integration. If your business is solving these kinds of challenges, you may be eligible for R&D tax relief — a government incentive designed to support companies achieving scientific or technological advancements.

Here are some examples of qualifying activities in marine engineering and shipbuilding:

Developing Advanced Hull and Structural Designs

Engineering hull shapes or structures that improve hydrodynamic performance, reduce fuel consumption, or enhance vessel stability in challenging sea conditions.

Improving Propulsion and Power Systems

Developing more efficient propulsion systems, such as hybrid-electric or hydrogen-powered drivetrains, particularly when overcoming performance, space, or integration challenges.

Solving Corrosion and Material Durability Issues

Researching and testing new materials, coatings, or manufacturing methods to extend the life of marine components exposed to saltwater, pressure, and mechanical wear.

Enhancing Vessel Control and Navigation Systems

Developing advanced control systems, sensors, or autonomous navigation technologies that improve safety, reliability, or operational efficiency.

Reducing Noise, Emissions, and Environmental Impact

Engineering quieter propulsion systems, improving hull designs to reduce wake or underwater noise, or developing technologies that minimise emissions and meet environmental regulations.

Developing Modular or Customisable Vessel Platforms

Creating modular shipbuilding approaches that allow for easier adaptation to different missions, cargo requirements, or operating environments.

Improving Onboard Systems Integration

Solving challenges in integrating power, control, communication, and safety systems within space-constrained marine environments, particularly for specialist vessels.

Meeting UK and International Marine Safety Standards

Developing vessel systems or designs that comply with UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regulations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, or classification society requirements, especially where technical validation is required.

If your business is engaged in pushing the limits of marine engineering, naval architecture, or shipbuilding technology, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK innovators recover part of their development costs, supporting further progress in building safer, cleaner, and more efficient vessels for the future.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.