Blog – Simon Eardley, Head of Policy & Innovation at Mersey Maritime
“A vital sector for Liverpool’s future” …
This was one of the key takeaways from a busy event hosted by Mersey Maritime during the Labour Party Conference in the impressive surroundings of Rathbone Hall at the iconic symbol of the city’s maritime strength, the Port of Liverpool Buildingon Monday 28 September 2026. The event was sponsored by Balaena, Bibby Marine and Stena Line.
Bringing together industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders from across the region, the event, titled “Maritime in the Liverpool City Region: Delivering Growth, Opportunity and Clean Energy”, explored the challenges and opportunities facing one of the Liverpool City Region’s most important and economically sectors. Speakers and panellists reflected on the themes of economic growth, decarbonisation, innovation and skills, while highlighting the significant role maritime will play in delivering both regional prosperity and national ambitions.
The scale of that opportunity is considerable. The wider North West maritime sector generates more than £9 billion in business turnover and supports over 47,000 jobs, making it a major contributor to the regional economy. Throughout the discussion there was a clear sense that the industry’s greatest contribution may still lie ahead as it has much ‘untapped potential.’
Opening the session, Ruth Wood, Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, welcomed attendees and set the scene for a discussion centred around the organisation’s three strategic priorities: decarbonisation, innovation and people. These themes framed a wider conversation about how the Liverpool City Region can continue to position itself at the forefront of maritime transformation while ensuring local communities share in the benefits.
Key insights came from Tim Morris, Head of Corporate Communications at Associated British Ports, who reflected on the findings of their Turning the Tide – understanding Britain’s coastal communities report. His message was simple: policymakers must do more to “make the case for the coast”.
Tim highlighted how coastal communities often feel overlooked in national debates, despite possessing strong identities, deep-rooted community pride and significant economic potential. While concerns about economic change and the quality of available jobs remain widespread, there is also optimism that younger generations can help drive future prosperity. He argued that coastal communities have the potential to become economic powerhouses once again, with maritime activity, trade, renewable energy and port investment providing the foundations for long-term growth.
Importantly, Tim emphasised that achieving this vision will require political leadership alongside substantial investment in infrastructure, much of it from the private sector. Ports, he noted, will be central to unlocking opportunities linked to international trade and offshore renewable energy.
The panel discussion that followed brought together voices from three leading maritime businesses from the region.
Representing Stena Line, Sarah West, Managing Director for UK and Ireland Ports, spoke about the company’s role in connecting people, businesses and supply chains through major investments in vessels, ports, infrastructure and workforce development. She outlined the company’s ambition to expand operations in Birkenhead while also highlighting barriers that currently stand in the way of growth.
A central theme of her remarks was the challenge of decarbonisation. While the maritime sector is committed to reducing emissions, she argued that businesses cannot decarbonise in isolation. The move towards electric-powered vessels requires significant electricity capacity, yet grid infrastructure often lags behind industry ambition. Businesses are therefore faced with the difficult reality of being encouraged to decarbonise while lacking access to the infrastructure required to make it possible.
Sarah also delivered a strong message on skills, urging policymakers not to overlook maritime apprenticeships. Her observation to not “confuse low volume with low value” resonated strongly, reflecting the importance of investing in specialist maritime careers that can deliver long-term, highly skilled employment opportunities.
From a shipbuilding perspective, Mike Hill, Managing Director of Balaena Birkenhead, outlined the opportunities created by the recent acquisition of Cammell Laird by the Balaena Group. He spoke of a determination to build upon nearly 200 years of maritime innovation while strengthening the business’s position in defence and advanced manufacturing markets.
Mike stressed the need for greater certainty around future order books. While political rhetoric around “Build British” has been prominent, he argued that industry now needs to see those aspirations translated into practical outcomes. Multi-batch procurement programmes and more supportive national contracting arrangements could help provide the confidence required to invest, expand apprenticeship opportunities and create secure jobs for local people. With around 60% of the Birkenhead operation already linked to defence work, he made clear that the capacity exists to do much more.
Innovation and clean energy were at the heart of remarks from Steve Drysdale, Commercial and Clients Account Manager at Bibby Marine. He highlighted the company’s leadership in developing the next generation of offshore service vessels and its commitment to future-proofing assets that may remain in service for 25 years or more.
For Bibby Marine, maritime decarbonisation is not simply an environmental challenge but an industrial opportunity. Steve pointed out that a conventional offshore wind support vessel could generate around 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. If the offshore wind industry is to genuinely support the transition to net zero, then clean energy projects must increasingly be serviced by clean vessels.
Across the discussion, several common themes emerged. The first was the importance of policy certainty. Businesses are willing to invest in new technologies, skills and infrastructure, but long-term commitments require confidence that policy frameworks will remain stable and supportive. The second was the need to view decarbonisation as industrial policy rather than simply a regulatory burden. Speakers repeatedly emphasised the opportunity to use the transition to clean energy as a driver of reindustrialisation, growth and job creation.
The panellists were finally also asked what they would say if granted five minutes with the new Prime Minister. Their answers reflected both ambition and urgency. Bibby Marine called for measures to incentivise the deployment of low-emission offshore service vessels. Balaena urged government to turn “Build British” from a slogan into practical procurement decisions. Stena Line argued for policies that make the UK a more attractive destination for maritime investment.
Bringing the event to a close, Cllr Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy at Liverpool City Council, reinforced the importance of place-based growth and the enduring relationship between Liverpool and the sea. Drawing on the themes explored throughout the afternoon, he highlighted how the prosperity, identity and future success of the city remain fundamentally connected to its maritime economy.
Cllr Small noted that economic analysis undertaken by Liverpool John Moores University had described maritime as “a vital sector for Liverpool’s future”, a conclusion that resonated strongly throughout the discussion. He argued that coastal communities are eager to play their role in delivering economic growth and that this aligns closely with the Labour Government’s ambition to generate opportunity in every part of the country.
Looking ahead, he identified a number of priorities: unlocking industrial potential, expanding trade, accelerating clean energy deployment and supporting innovation. Above all, he emphasised that young people must remain at the heart of the sector’s future success, while deeper English devolution could provide further opportunities to unlock growth and investment.
The message from the event was clear. Maritime is not simply part of Liverpool’s past; it is central to its future. With the right blend of investment, policy certainty, skills development and innovation, the sector has the potential to drive growth, strengthen communities and lead the UK’s transition to a cleaner economy. The Liverpool City Region is well positioned to seize this exciting opportunity!
