An annual innovation showcase will be established by Mersey Maritime to promote Liverpool city region to global investors funded by £100,000 from Government. Tony McDonough reports

Mersey Maritime has secured £100,000 from Government to establish an annual ‘innovation showcase’ to attract foreign investors to Liverpool city region.

Maritime Minister Mike Kane has announced funding of more than £860,000 to be shared by coastal communities across the UK. Nine regions will benefit and money will also be used to support careers, education, training, and skills.

Britain’s maritime sector and its coastal communities have been identified as key to unlocking regional economic growth, and this targeted support aims to revitalise coastal towns and cities.

This of the new Mersey Maritime project: Navigating Maritime Innovation in the Liverpool City Region will be backed with £100,000 of DfT funding and significant matched funding from industry and academic partners.

They include Bibby Marine, Cammell Laird, Liverpool John Moores University, Peel Ports Group, Royal HaskoningDHV, The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and the University of Liverpool.

Ruth Wood, chief executive of Mersey Maritime, said: “We welcome this significant support from the Department for Transport which will assist Mersey Maritime and our members across Liverpool city region to maximise innovation opportunities.

“Our focus over the last year has pivoted towards supporting our dynamic regional cluster organisation across the key themes of decarbonisation, digitisation and maximising future careers and skills within the industry.

“Our intention is to turbo-charge that activity with a focus around innovation activities which are essential for us to achieve ambitious plans, putting Liverpool at the forefront of delivering a cleaner, greener maritime industry.”

Between 2019 and 2023 Mersey Maritime led the Government-funded regional cluster development programme. The then chief executive of Mersey Maritime Chris Shirling-Rooke and head of policy and innovation Simon Eardley toured the country.

They helped make the case to Government for further direct investment into organisations that support the maritime industry in their respective areas.

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Chris, now chief executive of Maritime UK, added: “Having been on this incredible journey with partners at the Department for Transport for more than six years, this labour of love for all of us is testament to the power of collaboration and partnership.

“I look forward to seeing all of our maritime clusters thrive and creating those vital jobs and growth where they’re needed most.”