Mersey Maritime recently hosted their latest Technology & Innovation Forum at Brookes Bell’s Liverpool offices as part of their Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region initiative. Running until March 2026, this ambitious project is driving forward innovation, collaboration, and investment in the North West’s maritime sector. The event provided a platform to share insights, explore emerging technologies, and strengthen partnerships that will shape the future of maritime.
Read more from Brookes Bell on the key discussions from the event, the latest advancements in maritime technology, and how industry collaboration is driving innovation.
Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Mersey Maritime’s ‘Technology and Innovation Forum’ at our offices in Liverpool. This event, a key milestone under the initiative Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region, brought together a diverse range of stakeholders committed to shaping the future of the maritime industry.
In 2024, Mersey Maritime launched its ambitious project, which will run from December last year until March 2026. With a strong focus on embracing emerging technologies and fostering collaborative partnerships, the initiative aims to drive real progress within the Liverpool City Region and the wider North-West. Our forum was a vital piece of this puzzle—a chance to share insights, discuss fresh ideas, and create stronger links between industry experts and innovators alike.
The project is ambitious in its scope. In partnership with various stakeholders, Mersey Maritime is set to deliver a range of exciting developments. The project will see the appointment of a dedicated Maritime Innovation Manager to unlock new opportunities, alongside the creation of a comprehensive maritime innovation asset mapping database for the region. The initiative includes quarterly Technology & Innovation Forum events—such as the one we hosted—to build understanding and encourage collaboration. An annual Innovation Showcase is also planned to promote the region’s appeal to foreign investors, while efforts are underway to form project partnerships for future funding. Additionally, a monthly LCR Maritime Innovation newsletter and a “Maritime Innovation Prospectus” will be published to attract investment into the region’s maritime industry.
In their presentation, “Ensuring the Future of Ship Safety with Advanced Non-destructive Testing“, Director of NDT, Arron Jackaman, and Senior Inspection Engineer, Andrew Waller, outlined the history of NDT and gave examples of current advanced NDT techniques including Phased Array Ultrasonics, Pulsed Eddy Current Array Testing and Eddy Current Array Technology. They were also able to showcase cutting edge subsea NDT marinised technology; changing the way ship surveys are conducted.
The event was well-attended by a host of influential organisations. Among those present were industry representatives from CPC and DASA, as well as academic experts from Liverpool John Moore’s University. Other key contributors included teams from Mersey Maritime, the Royal Navy, and RS Clare. The presence of such a diverse group not only highlighted the collaborative nature of the forum but also set the stage for great discussions. Brookes Bell was proud to host and contribute to ongoing dialogue that is crucial for addressing both current challenges and future opportunities in maritime innovation.
The Technology and Information Forum was more than just a networking event—it was a celebration of innovation and a demonstration of the collaborative spirit that is essential for the maritime industry’s evolution.
