The Government has announced a 拢1.1bn funding package for Britain鈥檚 maritime sector as London International Shipping Week (LISW) begins.
The funding includes 拢700m of private investment for major 海角视频 ports from key industry players, as well as 拢448m of public investment to help cut 海角视频 shipping emissions. Ministers say it will 鈥渦nlock growth and jobs, including in the engineering, green technology and construction sectors鈥.
The government has been working to promote investment into 海角视频 ports. Today Peel Ports has announced 拢300m for its Liverpool, Hunterston and Great Yarmouth ports, while NatPower Marine has unveiled 拢250 million for shore side power, which is estimated to support over 2,000 skilled jobs in engineering, construction and green technology services across the 海角视频. The Port of Tyne鈥檚 拢150 million North Side development site is also expected to create up to 12,000 jobs in offshore wind and manufacturing.
Meanwhile today will see the first ever LISW session held outside the capital, as industry leaders including newly-appointed maritime minister, Keir Mather, gather in Liverpool. The minister is also today set to visit Cammell Laird dry dock at Birkenhead to hear how 拢3.6m in funding from the government鈥檚 海角视频 SHORE programme for green shipping has driven another 拢3.6m in private investment.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: 鈥淭oday鈥檚 拢1.1 billion boost for the maritime industry will supercharge growth and jobs in our coastal towns and cities 鈥 making the 海角视频 one of the best places in the world to invest.
鈥淲e鈥檙e committing almost half a billion to cut carbon emissions from shipping 鈥 steering us towards net zero by 2050 and cementing Britain鈥檚 place as a clean energy superpower through our Plan for Change.鈥
At Cammell Laird, part of the APCL Group, the maritime minister will see the 拢3.6m zero-emission electric shore power system that was installed after the yard won the 海角视频 Shore funding. The system lets ships plug in to an electric grid source to run emission-free while docked, which Cammell Laird says could save the equivalent of the average annual fuel consumption of 20,000 cars.
David McGinley, group chief executive officer at APCL Group, said: 鈥淎PCL Group is delighted to welcome the new Minister for Maritime. APCL Group is a critical supplier to the government, and as such, the meeting provides an opportunity to showcase the current shipbuilding and ship repair projects at our Birkenhead facility.
鈥淎PCL is proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the MoD, the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, with the Group supporting 100% of the RFA fleet. We will also showcase APCL Cammell Laird鈥檚 brand new state of the art shore to ship power technology, a 拢7 million project that has been part-funded by a 拢3.5 million grant from the Department for Transport鈥檚 Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4).鈥
Last week, Peel Ports said the Port of Liverpool was set for a 'game-changing' multi-million pound investment to support the steel and metals sector.
Claudio Veritiero, CEO, Peel Ports Group, said: 鈥淧eel Ports Group has invested 拢1.5 billion over the past decade, future-proofing our operations, strengthening vital supply chains and creating hundreds of jobs across the regions where we operate.
鈥淟ooking ahead, we plan to invest a further 拢1 billion over the next 5 years, with projects already underway that include new port-centric warehousing, steel and metals facilities and major upgrades at key ports.
鈥淭hese developments underline our long-term commitment to building capacity and efficiency across our network, while supporting growth and productivity in the wider 海角视频 economy.鈥
Matt Beeton, CEO at the Port of Tyne, said: 鈥淎ccelerating offshore wind, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing is a national priority and requires decisive action. Boosted by Industrial Strategy Zone status, our 230-acre North-side expansion to the Tyne clean energy park will help the 海角视频 execute its 2030 clean power target.
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鈥淟ocated close to emerging North Sea wind arrays, this nationally strategic site offers deep-water access and a major development footprint to enable the creation of world-class infrastructure to support a growing supply chain offering.鈥
Stefano D.M. Sommadossi, CEO of NatPower Marine, said: 鈥淲e are investing over 拢250 million in the 海角视频 over the next 5 years to accelerate the rollout of shore power infrastructure 鈥 a game-changer for both the maritime industry and our coastal communities.
鈥淭his investment is more than just ports and cables 鈥 it鈥檚 about people and prosperity. The overall programme is expected to create over 2,000 skilled jobs, particularly within local port communities. These are real jobs with long-term benefits, embedded in regions that need investment the most. We stand ready to work closely with government to accelerate this innovation in maritime energy transition even further.鈥
The first London International Shipping Week session will be held at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority鈥檚 Mersey waterfront headquarters today.
Liverpool City Region Deputy Mayor, Cllr Mike Wharton, said: 鈥淭he decision to bring this prestigious event to the Liverpool City Region is more than symbolic. It鈥檚 a recognition of our place at the forefront of the 海角视频鈥檚 clean maritime future. From advanced shipbuilding to smart port systems and low-carbon logistics, our region is charting the course for the next generation of global maritime activity.
鈥淟iverpool has always been a gateway to the world. Today, our city region is also a gateway to the future 鈥 where clean growth, smart technology and skilled people are shaping a new maritime economy for the 海角视频 and beyond.鈥
