New report from Mersey Maritime reveals there are 188 active innovation projects in Liverpool city region’s maritime sector, totalling £1.9bn in value. Tony McDonough reports
Mersey Maritime (MM) has revealed in a new report that Liverpool city region is a “powerhouse” for maritime sector innovation.
The representative body for Liverpool city region’s £9bn maritime sector has identified a pipeline of 188 active projects totalling £1.9bn in value. This report was unveiled at MM’s Mersey Maritime Innovation Summit in Liverpool.
Called Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region (NMI), the report showcases the scale, strength and future potential of “world class” maritime innovation ecosystem in Merseyside.
The NMI project was funded through the Department for Transport’s Maritime Cluster Development Fund and delivered by Mersey Maritime in partnership with industry and academic institutions. Findings also include:
- £886m in advanced technology projects.
- £696m in decarbonisation programmes.
- £342m in future energy systems.
- Major contributions to automation, autonomy, AI, clean propulsion, port electrification. and digital vessel systems.
Ruth Wood, chief executive of MM, said: “This report confirms what industry in our region has long known: the Liverpool city region is one of the UK’s most significant maritime innovation powerhouses.
“Our ecosystem brings together world-leading research capability, industrial strength and a uniquely collaborative spirit. Together, we are not just preparing for the future of maritime – we are already building it.
“This 15-month long project has revealed a £1.9bn innovation pipeline which has a critical role to play in driving wider national priorities.
READ MORE: Mersey Maritime unveils new board members
READ MORE: Merseyside firm to propel Norwegian vessels with wind
“The NMI evidence base highlights a maritime cluster that is delivering transformative change at pace and scale with a portfolio of projects which aligns directly with national and local strategies including the Clean Maritime Plan, the work of UK SHORE, and the LCR Freeport and Investment Zone.”