Mersey Maritime is leading a delegation to the global event and the Champions League trophy – won for the sixth time by Liverpool in May – has gone with them. Tony McDonough reports

Leaders of Merseyside’s £4bn powerhouse maritime sector have arrived at London International Shipping Week – and the trophy informally known as ‘Old Big Ears’ has gone with them.

Liverpool is not just one of the most famous maritime cities in the world – it is also one of the most famous footballing cities. And, to reflect this, the delegation has taken along the Champions League trophy, won for the sixth time by Liverpool in May.

Led by Mersey Maritime chief executive Chris Shirling-Rooke, the mission includes representatives of Peel Group, Beech Group, Kays Medical and Western Union Business Solutions, which is both a member of Mersey Maritime and a key commercial partner of Liverpool FC.

Global event

London International Shipping Week is one of the largest maritime events in the world. The packed programme of conferences, seminars and networking receptions will see maritime leaders come to do business at events to showcase the UK’s £40bn maritime sector.

Mersey Maritime, the UK’s leading maritime cluster organisation will, once again, play a full role in the week ahead, starting on Monday, September 9, by promoting the work of its members across the Liverpool city region at two key events.

Chris Shirling-Rooke said: “Ask anyone what they associate with the Liverpool city region and there’s no doubt that the world class maritime industry and our world class footballing prowess will be on the tips of their tongues. London International Shipping Week will see both come together, thanks to Mersey Maritime.

“On Monday we will play our part in the Maritime UK Regional Spotlight event, demonstrating the key strengths of our regional cluster here in Merseyside and what makes clusters so important to the industry. We will collaborate with our colleagues at Team Humber Marine Alliance to debate a key issue for us, ‘east-west connectivity’.

“Later that evening we will host Mersey on the Thames, a packed-out networking reception in the Global Trade Hub based at Landing Forty Two of the iconic Cheesegrater building in the City of London.

“Guests will be welcomed with a glass of Liverpool Gin, be entertained by a local band and have the opportunity for a photograph with the Champions League Trophy, courtesy of Liverpool Football Club.”

Dynamic sector

Mr Shirling-Rooke added that one of the key aims of the delegation London International Shipping Week is to demonstrate the scope and dynamism of the maritime sector across the Liverpool city region, which employs close to 30,000 people across more than 30 sub-sectors.

“I am really proud to be here in London this week to let global maritime leaders know just what a fantastic and dynamic sector we have in the Liverpool city region,” added Mr Shirling-Rooke.

“The maritime industry is bigger than the aviation and automotive sectors nationally and for centuries the Mersey has been at the heart of maritime in the UK. Our cluster organisation is recognised as one of the best in Europe, thanks to the hard work and vision of our many members.

“Our focus is really simple: creating the conditions necessary for business to thrive and to create the jobs and growth that is needed for our economy both locally and nationally.

“Regardless of all the uncertainty that surrounds Brexit and national politics at the moment, we can’t let that get in the way of what really matters to our industry. Mersey Maritime have the knowledge, skills and dynamism to continue to lead our sector in the UK.

“London International Shipping Week gives us the ideal opportunity to bang the drum for all that makes us so important to the economy. We’ll be here all week and will use every moment available to us to promote our area; it looks set to be a fantastic few days.”