Can Bureaucracy in Innovation be a Good Thing?
A real case from the Maritime Industry
The Futureoftheocean team was intrigued by Yuval Harari’s statement in his recent book Nexus that bureaucracy is an unsung hero of human civilization. Inspired by this idea, the team embarked on a search to validate—or challenge—this claim within the maritime industry. The search didn’t take long, as we soon discovered that the collaboration between Marine Zero and Easy R&D serves as a compelling example of well-applied bureaucracy in action.
So, let the story unfold!
A dream sparks a visionary plan but they didn’t anticipate was the complexity of the R&D Tax Relief
When UK-based Marine Zero Limited embarked on an ambitious project to identify a commercially viable roadmap for decarbonising vessels on the River Thames, they anticipated challenges. The initiative aims to accelerate the transition to zero emissions by developing new infrastructure and energy models and creating regulatory pathways for cleaner energy.
A dream sparks a visionary plan—one that takes shape through action. However, actions require material support and must be backed by capital. In this context, every resource becomes invaluable. Soon, the team began seeking financial relief, leveraging the strong Research and Development (R&D) activities embedded in the project. What they didn’t anticipate was the complexity of the R&D Tax Relief process.
About Marine Zero
You can reach Marine Zero Limited via their website https://www.marinezero.com/
The process of claiming R&D Tax Relief is complex, technical, and yes, undeniably bureaucratic
The process of claiming R&D Tax Relief is an experience many businesses in the maritime sector now share, not just because it’s available, but because it helps them keep innovating and growing. It’s complex, technical, and yes, undeniably bureaucratic.
When asked to assess the bureaucratic complexity of the R&D Tax Relief process in the UK, an AI tool rated it 7 out of 10, placing it at the lower end of the complex bureaucratic process spectrum. For comparison, VAT returns received a 3–4/10 rating, positioning them at the upper end of the simple bureaucratic scale (1 to 3), as they involve routine procedures and straightforward calculations. Meanwhile, grant applications were rated 8–9/10, placing them firmly within the complex bureaucratic range (7 to 10) due to extensive requirements, competitive selection processes, and frequent audits.
That’s why Marine Zero made the decision to partner with a professional R&D Tax Relief specialist, someone who could take on the heavy lifting while they focused on the innovation itself.
“Like most start-ups, our small team wears multiple hats and juggles countless priorities every day. Bringing in specialists to handle our R&D tax relief paperwork not only unlocked welcome entitlements, it freed us up to do what we do best - innovating and delivering for our customers.” Tim Munn, Managing Director at Marine Zero.
And in the end, that very structure, the same paperwork they’d once seen as frustrating, became a powerful enabler. With the right support, the bureaucracy didn’tjust get managed. It added clarity, rigour, and real value to the project.
The problem with Bureaucracy, and why it exists
Bureaucracy often gets a bad name. It’s blamed for slowing down progress, creating friction, and making simple tasks feel unnecessarily complex. And often, that criticism is valid. Research shows that when institutions come under pressure, they tend to become more centralised and rigid (Boon, Wynen, & Verhoest, 2023). Just recently, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves called out the UK's regulatory systems for being “too slow to get things done” (Alliance News, 2025).
So, when people say “R&D Tax Relief is too bureaucratic”, they’re not wrong. The technical reports, cost justifications, supporting evidence, and new additional forms can feel like an obstacle course.
But here’s the twist: when managed properly, the paperwork is exactly what gives the scheme its value.
Why Structure Builds Credibility
For Marine Zero, working on the Electric Thames Project, the complexity of the R&D tax claim mirrored the challenges of the project itself, which involved:
- Developing an energy mapping tool to model future maritime energy demands.
- Collaborating with partners to establish a cost-benefit analysis framework for vessel-2-grid technology—an area where no prior model existed.
- Managing sensitive and fragmented data from vessel operators and port stakeholders to construct accurate predictive models.
The team needed to demonstrate that their innovations were novel, scientifically validated, and capable of delivering measurable progress—but this time, not to technical experts, as they had done many times before. Instead, they had to present their case to HMRC fiscal specialists, who were likely more focused on financial expenditures than on advancements in energy, ships, and grids.
It quickly became clear that this was not just a matter of proving technical merit; it was a cross-disciplinary translation challenge for which no off-the-shelf solution existed.
Why That Structure Matters More Than Ever
It’s no secret that the R&D tax scheme has been misused. In 2020 - 21, HMRC found that 16.7% of claims were incorrect or fraudulent (BDO United Kingdom, 2023). Cases of fake consultancies setting up phantom companies to pocket millions in relief have made headlines, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions (BBC News, 2025). In response, the government introduced tougher compliance rules, including a mandatory Additional Information Form in 2023.
These reforms are aimed at increasing transparency and trust. But they’ve also made it harder for legitimate businesses to navigate the system without help. That’s exactly why many, including this maritime company, are now turning to specialist R&D tax firms to guide the process.
Because when it’sdone right, the structure protects the good actors and keeps the funding focused on those innovating.
But wait! We usually associate such words with comic book vigilante heroes. Can the same idea apply to bureaucracy and its servants? Apparently so, as Tim Munn, Managing Director at Marine Zero, explains:
“We're experts in clean maritime energy, not R&D tax relief but the partnership with Easy R&D lets us keep our heads in product development and service delivery where we belong, while still capturing the financial benefits our innovations deserve.”
Red Tape That Adds Real Value
The paperwork involved was significant. But it encouraged Marine Zero to articulate the full scope of their innovation. With the help of Easy R&D, they were able to build a claim that was not just compliant but strategic.
“As we worked through the R&D tax relief process, it helped to crystallise the specifics of our competitive advantage. What started as a financial exercise has become a significant part of our growth plan.” Tim Munn, Managing Director at Marine Zero.
For this clean maritime energy specialist, the R&D tax process didn’t just validate their innovation, it clarified it. By articulating their methods, addressing technical uncertainties, and aligning their work with HMRC’s evolving expectations, they ended up with more than just a financial benefit. They developed reusable and scalable frameworks that could support similar projects in other ports and inland water ways. They’ll be the first to admit: the paperwork was daunting. But it helped them prove they were doing something genuinely new. And that, in turn, helped secure the funding they needed to push their innovation forward.
“What started as a formidable paperwork challenge has evolved to become something far more positive. The tax relief is valuable, but the strategic clarity the whole process has enabled has been priceless." Tim Munn, Managing Director at Marine Zero.
the paperwork becomes part of the progress.
It’s tempting to view red tape as the enemy. But in R&D Tax Relief, the paperwork isn’t just bureaucracy. It’s a framework, one that, when used properly, helps separate genuine innovation from opportunism. It gives HMRC the confidence to support future-facing work. And with the right support, it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
For businesses in the maritime and offshore sectors, where innovation is technical, regulatory, and deeply collaborative, that structure isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.
So yes, the process can be complex. But with the right partner and the right expertise, the paperwork becomes part of the progress.
Contact Easy R&D
Easy R&D collaborates with the maritime and offshore industry to ensure their R&D Tax Relief claims are accurate and defensible. You can reach Easy R&D via their website https://easyrnd.co.uk/