Mersey Maritime is delighted to announce the finalists for the highly anticipated Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2026 (MMIA26).
In its twelfth year, the MMIA26 promises to once again be a celebration of excellence and innovation within the maritime industry. This year, a record number of outstanding companies and individuals submitted applications, leading to a highly competitive finalist stage and marking a significant achievement for the UK’s maritime sector.
The MMIAs are widely recognised as the UK’s leading regional maritime awards, celebrating the achievements of the industry’s most outstanding companies and individuals across the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West.
This year’s finalists were selected following a rigorous evaluation process by a panel of 12 distinguished judges, comprising national, regional and local industry experts, business leaders and government representatives. Categories were carefully allocated to each judge to avoid conflicts of interest.
Judges include:
- Rhett Hatcher – CEO at UK Chamber of Shipping
- Peter Holland – Knowledge Transfer Manager – Maritime at Innovate UK Business Connect
- Paul Townsend – Pro Vice Chancellor at Liverpool John Moores University
- Lorna Wagner – Operations Director at Maritime Solent
- John Bulmer – Business Development Executive at BAE Systems
- Giles Jones – Programme Lead at Liverpool City Region Freeport
- Geraint Evans – Chief Executive Officer at the UK Major Ports Group
- Dominic Casey – Head of Shipping and Digitisation at Department for Transport
- David Meyerowitz – Chair of Business and Enterprise Board at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Rising Star Judges
- Leanne Gunn – Head of HR at Grimaldi Agencies UK (ACL)
- Mike Hill – Managing Director at Balaena
- Anna Kaparaki – Senior Lecturer in Maritime Law at Liverpool John Moores University
Mersey Maritime will launch the final stage of the judging process, the industry voting platform, on 30th October 2026. This platform will provide local, national, and international industry peers with the opportunity to cast their votes for the eventual winners, who will be unveiled at the awards dinner on Friday 4th December 2026 at the Titanic Hotel Liverpool – book your place HERE.
Ruth Wood, Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime commented:
“The quality of this year’s entries has been exceptional, making the selection of our finalists a difficult task for the judging panel. The submissions demonstrate the innovation, ambition and achievements across the maritime sector, and the important contribution these businesses and individuals make to our coastal communities and the wider regional economy.
“Thank you to our judges for the time, support and expertise they have brought to the process, and to our sponsors for helping us recognise and celebrate maritime excellence across the Liverpool City Region and the North West.
“Congratulations to all our finalists. As the awards moves into the industry vote, we look forward to sharing their achievements and celebrating their success.”
Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2026 finalists:
- Business of the Year: Sponsored by Liverpool John Moores University
- Marine Specialised Technology
- Peel Ports Group
- The SeaKing Group
- Employer & Diversity Champion: Sponsored by Royal Navy
- Atlantic Container Line
- Balaena
- Liverpool John Moores University
- Innovation Champion Award: Sponsored by Haskoning
- GT Wings
- Stanlow Terminals
- Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions
- Logistics & Trade Excellence Award: Sponsored by Stena Line
- CMA CGM
- Maersk
- Peel Ports Group
- Maritime Enabler Award: Sponsored by Maritime Transport
- Connected Places Catapult
- Spark Youth
- Trinity Logistics Limited
- Net Zero Champion Award
- Bibby Marine
- GT Wings
- Maritime Transport
- Rising Star Award: Sponsored by Balaena
- Shubham Chauhan – AWP Marine Consultancy
- Sadie Poole – Haskoning
- Jazmin Dawson – Royal Navy
- Social Impact Award: Sponsored by Peel Ports Group
- CMA CGM
- Liverpool Seafarers Centre
- Wirral Met College
- SME of the Year: Sponsored by Maersk
- AWP Marine Consultancy
- Infinite Access Services
- Universal Tanker Solutions
Further information on the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards click HERE.
