Commenting on the news that plans to revive the building of new multi-million pound Mersey ferries are about to get the go ahead, Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO of Mersey Maritime, said:
“This development is very welcome indeed given the delays that have occurred since the original call out for tenders was published in 2018. The iconic Mersey Ferry service needs these new vessels and our understanding that the procurement process is well underway is just what we want to hear. This represents a massive opportunity for our region.
“This city was built on visionary thinking and leadership, something that’s undoubtedly needed to make sure these vitally important ferries, the very symbol of our region, will service the River Mersey and its passengers for decades to come. We are blessed in having an abundance of world class maritime expertise right here locally, and as such have an opportunity to create world leading exemplars for decarbonisation and sustainability. The last two vessels are more than 60 years’ old and there’s a strong likelihood that the next ones will last equally as long. It is absolutely essential that these vessels are built to last and that they utilise the latest technologies, pushing the boundaries of the ‘art of the possible’ as we’ve always done in this city, and being part of our concerted effort as a country to deliver net zero.
“Very soon we expect to see the Government publish its refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy. At its heart we anticipate a new emphasis on UK built vessels of all types and a pipeline for shipbuilding that reaches long into the future. Key to this work will be UK based companies having the confidence in themselves and the commercial opportunity represented by this strategy, to be leading players. We can’t afford to be using old ideas, old technology and old approaches to what is some of the most dynamic work we need to tackle right now.
“The Liverpool City Region has all the maritime tools in its box. Let’s have the confidence, the vision and the drive to make sure our region’s booming sector maximises every aspect of this new opportunity.”
