Applications are now open for the twelfth annual Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIA26), with maritime, logistics and energy businesses across the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West invited to submit their entries for 2026.
Celebrating excellence across one of the UK’s most dynamic maritime regions, the awards recognise businesses, organisations and individuals driving innovation, collaboration and growth across the £9.03bn North West maritime sector.
Open to eligible organisations across the region, the MMIA’s continue to showcase outstanding achievement across the full breadth of the maritime cluster, from SMEs and supply chain businesses through to major operators and public sector partners.
The 2026 awards will once again feature a rigorous judging process led by an expert panel, with finalists selected through formal assessment before winners are decided via an industry-wide vote, ensuring broad engagement across the sector.
Alongside the established Mersey Maritime Industry Awards, Mersey Maritime is launching the Mersey Maritime Industry Honours for the first time in 2026. This new initiative will recognise exceptional individuals whose leadership is helping to shape the future of the maritime sector and marks the latest evolution in the format of this significant event in the maritime industry calendar
Ruth Wood, CEO of Mersey Maritime commented:
“The Mersey Maritime Industry Awards continue to showcase the strength, innovation and collaboration that define our regional maritime sector.
As we launch the new Industry Honours for 2026, we are proud to place even greater emphasis on recognising the individuals whose leadership and vision are helping to drive the sector forward. We encourage organisations of all sizes to take this opportunity to celebrate their achievements and share their success stories with the wider industry.”
The honours sit alongside the awards programme but are reserved exclusively for individuals and will be judged solely by an independent panel. Unlike the MMIA categories, there is no public vote and no finalist filming requirement.
Reflecting Mersey Maritime’s three strategic priorities and key focus areas for the wider industry, the honours will recognise leadership across three core pillars:
- Innovation Leader of the Year
- Decarbonisation Leader of the Year
- People Leader of the Year
In total, 13 awards will be presented across the MMIA26 programme, comprising 10 business award categories and the three individual honour nominations.
The 10 MMIA business award categories open for entry are:
- Business of the Year
- Employer & Diversity Champion
- Innovation Champion
- Logistics & Trade Award
- Maritime Ambassador Award
- Maritime Enabler Award
- Net Zero Champion
- Rising Star Award
- SME of the Year
- Social Impact Award
Founded to support and promote the maritime cluster, Mersey Maritime continues to provide a platform that showcases the strength, diversity and impact of the sector across the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Applications can be submitted via the Mersey Maritime website HERE, with the entry window now open.
Entry to the MMIA26 is free of charge for Mersey Maritime members, whilst non-member submissions are subject to an entry fee of £100 per application.
This year’s prestigious black-tie ceremony will take place on Friday 4 December 2026 at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool, bringing together industry leaders, innovators and stakeholders for an evening of recognition and networking.
Mersey Maritime is also pleased to confirm a strong line-up of sponsors supporting the 2026 programme, including APCL Cammell Laird, Haskoning, SeaKing Group, Stena Line, Peel Ports Group and the Royal Navy, alongside wider industry partners.
Tickets and tables are now available for purchase, with discounted rates available for members – find out more HERE.
Further information, sponsorship opportunities and entry guidance are available HERE.
