Nominations will open this week for the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2022 which celebrate the best of Liverpool city region’s £5bn marine industry. Tony McDonough reports

Mersey Maritime has launched its eight annual industry awards and is inviting nominations from companies across Liverpool city region and the North West.

Taking place at Liverpool Cathedral Thursday, November 10, these will be the eighth annual Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIAs). This year’s theme is Our Time is Now and will focus on Mersey Maritime’s 20th anniversary.

In June Mersey Maritime published new data showing Liverpool city region’s maritime sector was worth £5bn a year. This is 20% more than was previously thought. It also supports more than 48,000 jobs. The industry encompasses more than 30 sub-sectors, including shipping, logistics, engineering, digital and professional services.

Mersey Maritime was conceived to create an ecosystem, championing and supporting one of the most diverse maritime regions in the UK. It has grown significantly over the past two decades and has been instrumental in creating one of the most successful maritime cluster in Europe.

More than 600 people are expected to attend the awards in November. It is expected to be the biggest yet. Nominations open later this week and the 14 categories are:

• Best Newcomer Award
• Business of the Year
• Diversity and Inclusion Award
• Employer of the Year
• Environmental, Social & Governance Award
• Global Performance Award
• Logistics Solution of the Year
• Maritime 2050 Award
• Maritime Ambassador Award
• Moving on the Mersey Award
• Outstanding SME Performance Award
• Regional Deal of the Year
• Rising Star Award
• Technology & Innovation Award

The closing date for submitting award entries is Monday, September 5. Every application received is assessed by Mersey Maritime’s industry judging panel who select the finalists for each category following a rigorous process.

The winner of each category will once again be determined by the industry itself, with an industry voting platform launching in early October 2022.

Mersey Maritime chief executive, Chris Shirling-Rooke, said: “In a special year for Mersey Maritime, we are delighted to launch our latest annual awards and very excited to see what this year will bring for all those wishing to showcase their achievements.

“Bringing the maritime industry together has always been at the heart of Mersey Maritime and is fundamental to what we do. But it is much more than that.

“We are committed to allowing our wide range of members, both here in the Liverpool city region and further afield, the opportunity to demonstrate to as broad an audience as possible their success and work in whatever area of the maritime industry they specialise in.”

To view the award categories, apply for an award or buy tickets/tables, visit Mersey Maritime’s website HERE