A major new report has confirmed the Liverpool City Region (LCR) as one of the UK’s most advanced and commercially ready maritime innovation powerhouses. Mapping 188 active projects, the study identifies a £1.9 billion innovation pipeline that is already reshaping the future of the sector.
Launched yesterday (26th March 2026) at the Mersey Maritime Innovation Summit, the Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region (NMI) report showcases the scale, strength and future potential of the LCR’s world‑class maritime innovation ecosystem. Over 150 guests attended the Summit hosted at the University of Liverpool, demonstrating the exceptionally strong industry engagement with the region’s innovation agenda.
The NMI project was funded through the Department for Transport’s Maritime Cluster Development Fund and delivered by Mersey Maritime in partnership with industry and academic institutions.
Key findings include:
- 188 maritime innovation projects mapped across the region equating to a £1.9 billion pipeline
- £886m in advanced technology projects
- £696m in decarbonisation programmes
- £342m in future energy systems
- Major contributions to automation, autonomy, AI, clean propulsion, port electrification, and digital vessel systems revealed
Speaking at the Innovation Summit, Ruth Wood, CEO of Mersey Maritime, said:
“This report confirms what industry in our region has long known: the Liverpool City Region is one of the UK’s most significant maritime innovation powerhouses. Our ecosystem brings together world-leading research capability, industrial strength and a uniquely collaborative spirit. Together, we are not just preparing for the future of maritime – we are already building it.
“This 15-month long project has revealed a £1.9bn innovation pipeline which has a critical role to play in driving wider national priorities. The NMI evidence base highlights a maritime cluster that is delivering transformative change at pace and scale with a portfolio of projects which aligns directly with national and local strategies including the Clean Maritime Plan, the work of UK SHORE, and the LCR Freeport and Investment Zone.
“Liverpool is not simply a maritime region of the past – it has the capability to be a national launchpad for clean, digital and autonomous maritime systems. The opportunity now is to work with government and partners to accelerate delivery and strengthen the UK’s global maritime leadership.”
The NMI report highlights the exceptional depth and connectivity of the LCR ecosystem, strengthened by collaboration between major industrial players, specialist SMEs and globally recognised research institutions.
This was reinforced at the Maritime Innovation Summit through contributions from organisations including: Armada Technologies, APCL Cammell Laird, Bibby Marine, Carbon Happy World, Grafmarine, Haskoning, Liverpool John Moores University, Maersk, Maritime Transport, Marlan Maritime Technologies, National Oceanographic Centre, Peel Ports Group, Stanlow Terminals, The Seaking Group, University of Liverpool, as well government representatives from Department for Transport, and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
The report launch follows from recently released economic figures, which tell the story of an LCR maritime sector which continues to experience rapid and sustained growth. In a study commissioned by Liverpool John Moores University, analysis reveals a sector directly contributing £3.40bn in business turnover and £1.16bn GVA to the LCR economy, directly employing 10,901 people and productivity rates which are 45% above the UK average. The Port of Liverpool alone handled £28.4bn in trade value in 2024 and for very direct maritime job supports an additional 3.38 jobs across the wider North West economy. In the North West, aggregate sector turnover is £9.03bn, supporting 47,773 jobs across the region.
Mersey Maritime is urging industry leaders, innovators, policymakers and investors to act now. The findings make clear that the opportunity, and the need, to accelerate the UK’s clean, digital and autonomous maritime transition is immediate.
The full Navigating Maritime Innovation report and executive summary are available via Mersey Maritime’s website HERE.
