The city and port of Liverpool has strengthened its bid to become the UK’s leading net zero maritime cluster. The north west coast of England port made the claim after hosting the first London International Shipping Week (LISW) event ever held outside London.
Industry, government and academic leaders gathered at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Mann Island headquarters yesterday (Monday, 15 September), on the first day of LISW. The region highlighted its growth, innovation and ambitions for clean maritime leadership.
Maritime sector growth under the spotlight
Delegates were told that, between 2010 and 2020, the Liverpool City Region’s maritime output grew by 181 per cent, underpinned by investment in port infrastructure, skills and innovation. The sector now supports more than 48,000 jobs locally, with productivity 65 per cent above the national average.
As the UK’s principal west-facing port, Liverpool handles nearly half of all UK–US trade and generates around £5bn in annual economic output. The summit aimed to showcase the city region’s strengths and explore investment priorities for the next phase of maritime development.
Ministerial backing for Liverpool role
The meeting was opened by Maritime Minister Keir Mather, who emphasised Liverpool’s strategic importance to the UK’s national maritime strategy. He highlighted its role as a transatlantic gateway, its alignment with net zero targets, and its potential to deliver regional growth through sustainable shipping and logistics.
Recent milestones include £1.5m in Freeport funding to accelerate decarbonisation and digitalisation of freight systems. Liverpool is also host to the UK’s first doctoral training centre in maritime decarbonisation, established jointly by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. Tangible developments include the construction of a hybrid-ready Mersey Ferry by Cammell Laird.
Local leaders make the case
Hosting a London International Shipping Week session for the first time beyond the capital was presented as recognition of Liverpool’s growing influence in maritime trade, innovation and decarbonisation. Councillor Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region’s Deputy Mayor, told delegates the region was positioning itself at the forefront of the UK’s clean maritime transition. “Liverpool has always been a gateway to the world,” he said. “Our city region is also a gateway to the future, where clean growth, smart technology and skilled people are shaping a new maritime economy for the UK and beyond.”
The Combined Authority used the summit to highlight major regional initiatives. Councillor Mike Wharton, Deputy Mayor, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Maritime Minister Keir Mather MP, Richard McGuckin, Deputy Chief Executive, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (pictured left to right), jointly endorsed a statement, that noted the integration of Freeport and Investment Zone programmes under the Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, was recently cited in the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan as national best practice.
Decarbonisation and innovation initiatives
Looking ahead, the region’s leaders set out a series of priorities to sustain growth. These include investment in transport infrastructure to ease road bottlenecks and improve multimodal freight connectivity; targeted expansion of maritime skills training, especially in marine engineering and ship repair; and streamlined planning and customs processes to enhance competitiveness.
Officials also underlined ambitions to promote Liverpool City Region as the UK’s gateway for transatlantic trade and innovation, leveraging the Port of Liverpool’s role as the country’s fourth-busiest container gateway.