Maritime UK has warmly welcomed the launch today of the Government’s “Maritime Growth Study: Keeping the UK Competitive in a global market” by the Minister for Shipping and Ports, Robert Goodwill MP and Chair of the Study, Lord Mountevans.

With 95% of UK trade moved by sea, ensuring that the UK maritime sector remains competitive is vital to our national economy. The report rightly recognises that the UK maritime sector is already world class in many areas. Our long history and tradition as a maritime nation has resulted in a strong, diverse and vibrant cluster throughout the UK. With established maritime centres in London, Liverpool, Southampton, Aberdeen and beyond our whole island contributes to, and relies upon, our maritime industries.

However, as the Maritime Growth Study recognises, the UK faces more competition from other maritime centres than ever before. Through working closely together, government and industry must therefore adapt and take decisive action in order to realise our shared vision and retain our rightful place as a preeminent maritime centre.

The report makes a number of key recommendations to achieve this goal, including fostering a more joined up approach amongst industry to promote and champion the sector, substantial reform of the MCA and initiative to address the skills challenges we face and foster a seafaring generation. Successful delivery of these and ensuing initiatives will be key to driving growth in the maritime sector.

Maritime UK has achieved much through our existing partnership with government, and we recognise that significant further development of industry efforts to support the promotion of the industry will be required. Maritime UK is committed to this process and determined to achieve real results in response to the recommendations.

Responding on behalf of Maritime UK, David Dingle CBE, Chairman Elect commented:

“The UK has a long and proud maritime history, but in order to retain our position as a world-class maritime nation the UK must be ambitious for the sector; to do so will require strong and strategic leadership from both government and industry.

“This far-reaching and in-depth study sets out a plan of action to drive forward growth in the sector. It shows that there are strengths upon which we must build, there are challenges we must face and there are opportunities which we must seize.

The report is a call to arms for industry and government, and we are certainly up for the challenge.”

Championing the sector:
The announcement of the Ministerial Working Group for Maritime Growth is fantastic news for the sector, further raising our profile within government and putting the issues which affect us at the top of ministers’ agendas.

Maritime UK has been working in close partnership with a number of Whitehall departments in recent years, and the working Group will take this cooperation to the next level, enabling government to address the industry’s key priorities for growth in a strategic and comprehensive manner.”

On industry leadership:
Maritime UK acknowledges the challenges posed by the diversity of our sector and that there is work to be done in order to create a more coherent and joined-up industry voice to promote and raise issues on behalf of the entire sector.

Although Maritime UK has achieved much in partnership with government, we recognise that the call is for a significant further development of these efforts to support the promotion of the industry. There are financial and organisational challenges involved in this, but we are determined to deliver real results.

There exist already strong foundations for this process and the industry is committed to quickly come together to discuss the actions required to take these recommendations forward.

On the Skills Agenda:
“Maritime UK fully supports the government’s intention to review SMarT funding and develop apprenticeship schemes within the Maritime Sector.

Any review must address that the UK, although internationally valued for training and education is one of the most expensive places to train seafarers. Government and industry should work together to understand future training needs and provide sufficient support and opportunities to UK seafarers.”

“We know that our industry will face a shortfall of trained seafarers as seatrade grows in years to come and this provides an unprecedented opportunity for the UK to plug that gap, creating new jobs and developing a new seafaring generation.”

On reform of the MCA:
“The industry is very pleased to see the government take on board and progress the recommendations of the UK Ship Register Advisory Panel. It is clear that substantial reform of the MCA and the administration of the UK Ship Register is urgently needed in order to stem the decline of the UK Flag and reaffirm the reputation of the Register as one which is globally competitive, responsive and customer-focussed.

We know from shipowners around the world that there is demand for a quality and responsive flag. The Study recommendations reflect willingness from government to listen to and respond to this demand – what is required now is decisive action to enact the necessary changes.

A reinvigorated flag, that offers quality and customer service, will bring benefits to the entire maritime cluster.”

Source: Maritime UK, 7 September 2015