Liverpool will play host to a major international conference on logistics infrastructure and the European Commission’s £1bn plus Motorways of the Sea initiative.
Motorways of the Sea is designed to streamline and promote new intermodal maritime-based logistics chains across Europe.
The city was selected to host the event due to both its historic prominence as one of the world’s great ports, and the opportunities being opened up by the current £1bn Superport-related investments in logistics facilities across the city region.
The conference is free to attend and will be held at No 1 Mann Island on May 20 and 21, and takes place during UKTI’s Export Week.
It will attract hundreds of delegates from ports and shipping bodies across Europe, Commission policy makers, plus UK businesses and academics keen to get the latest information on EU funding and policy developments relating to the Motorways of the Sea programme, and forge new international links.
The keynote addresses will include former Deputy Prime Minister and ship steward, Lord John Prescott.
Technical sessions will showcase learning and solutions from 20 EU-funded projects, and highlight key issues to be addressed via future EU policy and funding.
Lord Prescott said:
“Like me, Liverpool has the sea in its blood and I am very pleased to be involved in this event.
“I applaud the city’s renaissance linked to this vitally important sector, and look forward to, sharing my own vision for enhanced multimodal connectivity along the corridor from Liverpool-Hull as critical gateways to markets in Ireland, Northern Europe and beyond, with the economic benefits this will bring.”
Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership executive director Mark Basnett said:
“This conference marks a key point in the maturation of the City Region’s renewed standing in the international logistics sector and as a core port on the European network.
“Do not be mistaken that this event is just a talking shop: it has real purpose, not least during UK Export Week.
“It is also the perfect opportunity to showcase the cluster of multi-modal assets that is Superport Liverpool to a diverse international audience, from Peel Ports’ £300m investment in the new Liverpool 2 deep water container port, to the new Mersey Crossing in Halton and potential intermodal rail freight interchange on the former Parkside Colliery in St Helens.”