Mersey Maritime - Experts & Thought Leaders

The event, organised by the industry’s regional cluster organisation, and hosted by CEO, Ruth Wood, in collaboration with Peel Ports Group and Connected Places Catapult, was hosted in the iconic location of the Liverpool City Region’s Combined Authority at Mann Island. Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP, gave the keynote address, his first major speech in his new role at the Department for Transport, and panellist contributions were received from Stephen Carr, Chief Commercial Officer – Peel Ports Group; Mark Wray, Ecosystem Director Maritime and Ports – Connected Places Catapult; Mike Gaynon, Chief Executive Officer – Stanlow Terminals and Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive – Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Key foundation industry Discussions focused on the economic impact of maritime and the Mersey Estuary in facilitating significant volumes of trade, supporting high quality and skilled jobs, driving productivity and the industry’s role as a key foundation industry for the whole regional economy. Greener maritime was showcased with the official launch of a major new report In a wide-ranging question and answer session, the importance of responding to major environmental challenges and delivering cleaner, greener maritime was showcased with the official launch of a major new report exploring the possibilities around a Liverpool/Belfast Green Shipping Corridor, the result of a significant collaborative effort spear-headed by the Connected Places Catapult in partnership with industry and academia locally. Responsible employment practices Commenting, Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP said: “Coastal communities play a fundamentally important role in the UK economy and are critical to its long-term future. That is none more so than here in the Liverpool City Region with its long maritime heritage; the ideal place for me to deliver my first major speech in government at the Department for Transport.” “Our focus is now on the future. The success of this region has always been built on dynamic innovation and seizing opportunities to grow economically with a focus on skilled, secure, well-paid jobs and embedded in responsible employment practices. The willingness of the industry to meet the challenges of net zero will be key to the years ahead as the new Labour Government delivers on its commitment to energy transition through its flagship GB Energy policy. Maritime businesses in this region are already investing in the green skills and clean jobs that will help us deliver change. I look forward to working with the industry on our shared priorities of growth, skills and decarbonisation in the years ahead.” Fundamental challenge of decarbonisation Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, Ruth Wood, said: “Maritime makes a massive contribution to the Liverpool City Region economy. We know it is worth at least £5 billion in business turnover and supports many thousands of jobs; nearly 50,000. Whilst our long maritime heritage speaks for itself, our region’s industry has never rested on its past, it has always looked to the future.” “That future is all about the major contribution our significant estuary, the River Mersey, will make to addressing some of the biggest challenges our country faces going forward: delivering economic growth, ensuring a thriving jobs market and responding to the fundamental challenge of decarbonisation and net zero.” “The North West and Liverpool City Region has the potential to be a driving force in the next green industrial revolution. From offshore wind to harnessing new energy sources in the estuary to world-leading innovation at Stanlow around hydrogen and carbon capture and storage and our business and academic assets, the ingredients exist here. Our future as a sector is incredibly exciting and we look forward to all that lies ahead.” Major industry sectors Stephen Carr, Group Commercial Director at Peel Ports Group said: “We were delighted to host industry leaders and welcome the Maritime Minister to Liverpool to showcase the crucial role Merseyside’s maritime sector plays in the regional and national economies.” “As the UK’s third largest estuary by tonnage, the River Mersey supports a vital and thriving maritime economy for Merseyside, enabling other major industry sectors to grow and prosper across the North West. We stand ready to play our part in supporting the new Government on projects which foster sustainable growth for trade, enhancing skills for quality employment and facilitating the transition to a greener energy future.” Rich maritime history Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, Cllr Mike Wharton said: “We have a long and rich maritime history which has been key to the city region’s fortunes. It’s a history of entrepreneurship and innovation – including the world’s first commercial wet dock – that propelled Liverpool City Region’s growth to become one of the world’s most famous and important ports.” “Our £5bn maritime industry continues to play a crucial role in our economy and we must seize the future, embracing every opportunity to increase trade and economic prosperity to create secure, well-paid jobs, while at the same time leading the way in maritime decarbonisation. I welcome CPC’s Green Shipping Corridor report that outlines a route to a net-zero future for maritime on the River Mersey.” Steam ship service Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Chief Executive, Katherine Fairclough said: “The River Mersey has long been the Liverpool City Region’s lifeblood, providing a gateway to the world that’s driven trade, innovation and prosperity.” “Supporting 48,000 jobs, our £5bn maritime industry remains vital to the city region’s economy and it’s essential we work with our partners to define the next illustrious chapter in our port’s long and storied history. By harnessing our natural assets, we are perfectly positioned to be at the forefront of the green energy transition and through our entrepreneurial and innovative spirit we are well-placed to lead the world in maritime decarbonisation, helping to protect the planet while growing our economy. We welcome CPC’s report on creating a Green Shipping Corridor between Liverpool and Belfast.” “We’ve come a long way since a steam ship service began operating between the two great ports in 1824. Two hundred years later, advances in technology and our position as a global centre of advanced manufacturing, mean we are well placed to seize the tantalising opportunities offered by embracing and driving the green industrial revolution.” Green industrial revolution Mike Gaynon, CEO Stanlow Terminals, said: “We are grateful to Mersey Maritime for the valuable opportunity to hear from the new Minister and from those partners who are ensuring that our region continues to deliver economic growth through our maritime connected ports and infrastructure.”  “We are excited about the investment we are making in industrial decarbonisation and to be part of the development of Green Shipping Corridors. We’ve been serving our region for a century and we remain committed to ensuring that we can continue to provide the vital fuels that our economy needs, today and in the future, whilst ensuring that we are reducing our carbon emission and creating highly skilled well-paid jobs.”

Mersey Maritime, in collaboration with WISTA UK, successfully marked the first regional event for WISTA UK in 2024 with the conclusion of their ‘Diversity in Maritime’ networking evening held on 15th February 2024, at HMS Eaglet in Liverpool. Event features and contributions The gathering brought together industry leaders and professionals for a networking and knowledge-sharing session. As part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations, WISTA UK will continue to host various regional activities across the UK throughout the year. The event featured insightful discussions on the crucial topics of diversity and inclusion, featuring contributions from several speakers, including Ruth Wood, CEO of Mersey Maritime and newly appointed WISTA UK Ambassador; Monica Kohli, President of WISTA UK; Commodore Tom Knowles, VR ADC Royal Navy, Naval Regional Commander; Samantha Brocklehurst, Customer Experience Director at Maersk; David Whyte, Deputy Director Maritime, Department for Transport; Captain Lee Clarke, General Manager, Isle of Man Maritime. Diverse and inclusive maritime Reflecting on the event, Ruth Wood, CEO of Mersey Maritime, commented, “It has been a pleasure to host the first regional WISTA event here in the North West alongside our Partners, Maersk and Royal Navy. To be asked to serve as the North West WISTA Ambassador is a privilege and an honour. " "This role underscores the importance of fostering connections, promoting diversity, and advancing opportunities within our region’s maritime landscape. We look forward to the continued collaboration and collective efforts that will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive maritime industry in the North West and beyond.” Inclusive workplace at Maersk Samantha Brocklehurst, Customer Experience Director at Maersk, commented, “Respect for diversity is a core value at Maersk." "Our targets to achieve over 40% representation of women in management and leadership roles and more than 30% diversity in nationality amongst executives by 2025 reflects our dedication to cultivating an inclusive workplace." Collaboration is the cornerstone “Events like these provide a valuable platform to contribute to an industry-wide conversation on diversity and inclusion, inspiring positive change. It not only allows us to showcase our commitment to creating a workplace that values and celebrates diversity but also aligns with our broader corporate goals." "We extend our thanks to Mersey Maritime and WISTA UK for facilitating and bringing together industry leaders to engage in a meaningful discussion on this crucial matter. Collaboration is the cornerstone of driving impactful change, and events like these play a significant role in advancing diversity and inclusion in our sector.” Consultative status Monica Kohli, President of WISTA UK, reflected on the event, saying, “As I ponder our journey, from three women meeting at ‘Ye old Cheshire Cheese’ in London in 1974, witnessing the inception of WISTA UK, to our status as a global force in the sector today with 59 WISTA International Associations worldwide and a network of more than 4,300 female professionals across all sectors of the maritime industry I feel privileged to be leading the organisation." "A noteworthy milestone in this remarkable journey was WISTA International’s achievement in gaining consultative status at the IMO." Advancing diversity and inclusion "Reaching our 50-year milestone is a significant achievement, and it’s one we take immense pride in. However, our journey is far from over; there is still much more to do. WISTA UK is on a growth trajectory, highlighted by our achievement of the highest number of members in 2023. These regional events play a vital role in contributing to our ongoing mission of promoting diversity and inclusion in the maritime industry.” Mersey Maritime and WISTA UK extend their gratitude to all participants and look forward to continued collaboration in advancing diversity and inclusion within the maritime sector.

Plans to build a world class maritime centre of excellence, focused on innovation, engineering, R&D, entrepreneurship, and training at the heart of Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters, have been put on hold as Wirral Council says no viable plans to fund it have been brought forward. A report has asked Councillors at a Policy and Resources committee meeting on January 17 to remove the project from its regeneration programme ‘until such time as a viable scheme is brought forward for consideration.’ Another report published by the council shows the £12.3m budget for the current financial year being removed with no money dedicated towards the project in the next four years. Self-acclaimed champion In March 2023, the former Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, Chris Shirling-Rooke, the self-acclaimed champion for the maritime industry in the North West of England, and now Chief Executive Officer of Maritime UK triumphantly announced that the Maritime Knowledge Hub was to be built. Planning permission for the Wirral Waters scheme was granted in 2023  A huge project proposed by Peel L&P to transform the derelict Central Hydraulic Tower on the Birkenhead docks opposite the entrance to the Birkenhead ferry terminal. Planning permission for the Wirral Waters scheme was granted in 2023 and promised ‘world-leading facilities’ researching how to make the $3tn maritime industry more sustainable. Robust business plan The council has said no viable business case has been brought forward and given the council’s current financial position, ‘the current balance of financial risk between public and private sector investors within the indicative proposals could not realistically be accepted by the council at the current time.’ Whilst some would argue that Mersey Maritime were handed a project they didn’t really want, its former Chief Executive was nevertheless was one of the primary movers in ‘selling the concept’ to stakeholders. So why did he simply decide to leave it to wither on the vine and depart for pastures new without first ensuring that there was a robust business plan in place. Investable business case The Maritime Knowledge Hub was his opportunity to safeguard his legacy for years to come After all, the Maritime Knowledge Hub was his opportunity to safeguard his legacy for years to come. Either way, it would appear, that there was not enough genuine ownership and vision to deliver the project for now. Nonetheless, it great to hear that the council remains fully committed to progressing with the project and is continuing to pursue other areas of funding to prepare an investable business case for the development of the hub. It’s an amazing project that regions maritime sector desperately needs and deserves. Let’s hope for the benefit all, that the challenges this project is currently experiencing can be overcome. And let’s not forget over promising and under-delivering affects us all. It is not a winning approach to help drive trade and growth for UK maritime industries.