The UK’s Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Jane Ellison MP, has chaired a roundtable with maritime industry leaders, hearing of new opportunities for the sector in light of the decision to leave the EU.
Representatives from across UK shipping, ports, marine engineering, leisure and maritime business services highlighted new opportunities for growth, which exist now that Britain is leaving the EU.
The discussions between industry and Government centred on ensuring that the UK is as attractive and competitive a destination as possible for global maritime business.
One of the problems addressed was a recent government UK Seafarer Projections report, analysing national and international demand for British seafarers that revealed a growing gap between supply and demand for UK deck and engineer officers of 4,400 over the next seven years.
Industry leaders discussed ways of increasing the number of UK seafarers being trained and announced a study into the economic impact of Tonnage Tax to the UK economy. This evidence base will support industry’s push for further Government support.
By Emi Tiram
