Mersey Maritime, which represents Liverpool city region’s £4.2bn maritime sector, is backing Maritime UK’s call for a dedicated coastal economies minister to help drive the UK’s recovery. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool city region’s powerhouse maritime sector is backing a campaign to persuade the Government to appoint a dedicated ‘coastal economies’ minister.

Mersey Maritime, an industry body representing hundreds of maritime firms, says coastal areas such as Merseyside are ready and willing to take a lead role in the UK’s post-coronavirus recovery strategy.

In the past decade, Merseyside has relied heavily on the hospitality and tourism sectors to drive GVA growth. Until the COVID-19 pandemic hit tourism was worth more than £5bn annually to the city region economy.

However, at the same time, and with less fanfare, the Merseyside maritime sector has also been growing rapidly and now contributes £4.2bn a year in GVA and supports 52,000 across more than 33 diverse sub-sectors.

Maritime is now ready to take the lead in the recovery, along with Liverpool city region’s knowledge and science sectors. Maritime UK, which represents the UK’s £46bn maritime sector, says it is vital for Government to but a dedicated focus onto the UK’s coastal communities and support them to reach their full potential.

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Backing the call, Mersey Maritime chief executive Chris Shirling-Rooke, said: “This is a very timely campaign, coming as it does at the start of Seafarers Awareness Week and Mersey Maritime is delighted to throw its weight behind the call for a Minister for the Coastal Powerhouse.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, our industry has kept the country fed, fuelled and supplied. But we also know that our coastal communities, often some of the most challenged and deprived in the whole country, are also feeling the negative effects of the Coronavirus challenge in a way likely to cause considerable economic hardship.

“We can’t allow this to happen. That’s why we need a dedicated Government Minister with a razor sharp focus on ensuring people living on Britain’s coastlines aren’t disproportionately affected.”

Mr Shirling-Rooke said the maritime industry was fully supportive of the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda but said that can’t be limited to projects such as the Northern Powerhouse.

He added: “The significance of the maritime sector in supporting so many jobs in our region, and with 50% of maritime jobs being outside London and the South East, demonstrates how we are uniquely placed to deliver on the Government’s approach. A minister would help focus and accelerate these efforts. 

“And here in the Liverpool city region, we know how well placed we are to maximise the benefits of the post-pandemic economic revival we must see happen. We have the UK’s most significant west facing port, a touching point for renewed opportunities in transatlantic trade and an industry that has enjoyed significant inward investment in recent years.

“We have strong road and rail networks and access to modern shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing businesses that stand alongside some of the very best in the country. What we need now is a voice right in the heart of Government banging the drum for us.”