Liverpool City Region to host landmark shipping summit

Liverpool City Region is to showcase its dynamic, innovative and fast-growing maritime sector as it hosts the first ever session of the London International Shipping Week (LISW) outside the capital.

Taking place at the Combined Authority’s Mann Island HQ on the banks of the River Mersey, on Monday, 15 September, the session marks a pivotal moment for the city region as it positions itself as the UK’s net zero maritime leader – combining centuries of port heritage with bold innovation, clean growth, and global connectivity.

Between 2010 and 2020, output from the city region’s maritime sector increased by 181%, driven by strategic investment in port infrastructure, skills development and maritime innovation. The sector now supports more than 48,000 jobs in the city region, with productivity 65% higher than the national average.

The exclusive roundtable will bring together senior figures from industry, government, academia, and regional leadership to explore the opportunities, challenges and investment priorities shaping the future of the maritime sector in the city region and beyond.

The event will be opened by Minister Keir Mather MP, who is expected to underline the strategic importance of the Liverpool City Region within the UK’s national maritime strategy – highlighting its role as a transatlantic gateway, its alignment with national trade and net zero goals, and its capacity to lead regional growth through sustainable shipping and logistics.

Hosting the LISW session reflects the growing recognition of Liverpool City Region’s strengths in maritime trade, innovation and decarbonisation. As the UK’s principal west-facing port, Liverpool handles nearly half of all UK–US cargo and supports £5bn in annual economic output across its maritime cluster.

Liverpool City Region Deputy Mayor Cllr Mike Wharton said:

“The decision to bring this prestigious event to the Liverpool City Region is more than symbolic. It’s a recognition of our place at the forefront of the UK’s clean maritime future. From advanced shipbuilding to smart port systems and low-carbon logistics, our region is charting the course for the next generation of global maritime activity.

“Liverpool has always been a gateway to the world.  Today, our city region is also a gateway to the future – where clean growth, smart technology and skilled people are shaping a new maritime economy for the UK and beyond.”

The Liverpool City Region is home to a range of industry-leading initiatives designed to accelerate decarbonisation and innovation across the maritime sector. Recent developments include:

• £1.5m in Freeport funding to support decarbonisation and digitalisation of freight systems.
• The launch of the UK’s first doctoral training centre in maritime decarbonisation, jointly delivered by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University.
• Construction of a hybrid-ready Mersey Ferry by Cammell Laird, one of the UK’s most iconic shipbuilders.

Through the LCR Innovation Zone, Freeport and Investment Zone programmes are being integrated to deliver coordinated, high-impact industrial growth. The recently published Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan cites Liverpool City Region as national best practice in aligning regional assets with national innovation strategies.

As it welcomes key stakeholders to the city, the Liverpool City Region will also set out its priorities for future growth, including:

• Continued investment in strategic transport infrastructure to address road bottlenecks and improve multimodal freight connectivity.
• Targeted funding to expand maritime skills training, particularly in specialist trades like marine engineering and ship repair.
• Streamlined planning and customs processes to boost port development and global competitiveness.
• National promotion of LCR as the UK’s gateway for transatlantic trade and innovation.

Liverpool City Region’s maritime sector is anchored by the Port of Liverpool, the UK’s fourth-busiest container port, and enriched by a network of high-value maritime manufacturers, research institutions, and logistics providers.

Visit the Liverpool City Region website here to find out more about the summit.

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