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Britain's maritime sector aims to rule the ocean waves

Xinhua, September 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

The first day of London International Shipping Week which opened Monday has been marked by a major report listing ways of maximising Britain's potential as a maritime nation.

A study, led by Lord Mountevans, chairman of Maritime UK, has detailed how Britain can build on the success of an industry that already contributes almost 17 billion U.S. dollars a year to the British economy and supports more than 113,000 jobs and 6,600 businesses.

The study calls for the establishment of a ministry-level working group to drive forward an action plan on maritime issues. It also recommends the creation of a new standalone unit within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to focus on attracting more ships to register in Britain and fly the British flag of the maritime sector, the red ensign.

As well as calling on the government and industry to develop a strategy to look at skill gaps in the maritime industry, the study also wants to see a single body to promote the British maritime sector to international markets.

Government transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said at today's launch: "London International Shipping Week is an opportunity to remind the world of the benefits of flying the Red Ensign, whether it's our world-leading ports, maritime business services or skilled workforce.

"Our maritime history is already something Britain can be proud of, but the sector is taking us into the future. We have already seen millions invested in the UK, including London and Liverpool - demonstrating the central place Britain already holds in the industry."

Lord Mountevans described the report as a 'call to arms' to industry and the government to actively support and raise the profile of a vital sector that contributes significantly to the British economy, and on which Britain relies to meet its daily needs.

The shipping world will converge on London this week, with the top 200 maritime global business leaders and international decision makers due to attend the event.

A spokesman for the government's Department for Transport said: "London International Shipping Week will showcase the success story of the British maritime sector, which in 2014 handled more than 503.2 million tonnes of freight.

"Projects underway include a 300 million pound (458 million U.S. dollars) container terminal at the Port of Liverpool which will serve the world's largest container vessels, and London Gateway Port which has received a 1.5 billion pound investment (2.3 billion U.S. dollars) for its huge port and logistics facilities which will directly create 12,000 full time jobs." Endit