Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, is delighted to have launched the Mersey Maritime Knowledge Hub.
Today (15 October 2020), Nus gave a virtual opening speech at the Maritime Exchange Hybrid Conference, launching the Mersey Maritime Knowledge Hub project.
In the Liverpool City Region, maritime drives more than £4.2 billion into the local economy, and supports around 52,000 jobs. The Maritime Knowledge Hub is a partnership project with Peel L&P, Mersey Maritime, Universities, leading industry figures and Wirral Council. It is a £23 million project, designed to give the UK the lead in the Global maritime technology race. The Hub will provide a national base for marine engineering research and development and survival training, as well as business accelerator space for the marine sector.
The Hub is strongly linked to the Government’s Maritime 2050 report that sets out the long-term strategy for the UK maritime sector. The project presents a fantastic opportunity to develop jobs and skills in the growing maritime sector, with a forecast of more than 4000 new jobs over the first five years of operation.
The facility will be built around the Grade II-listed 19th century hydraulic tower building close to the Birkenhead waterfront in Peel Land & Property’s Wirral Waters development. Upon invitation from Mersey Maritime chief executive Chris Shirling-Rooke, Nus toured Wirral Waters as part of an official visit to the Liverpool City Region earlier this year as Maritime Minister.
Nus Ghani said: “The United Kingdom is the world’s leading maritime nation. Global circumstances may change, but Britain will continue to rely upon the maritime sector for its trading success and its essential goods. A key part of growing our world-class maritime industry is its people and the Mersey Maritime Knowledge Hub will be vital in training the next generation of mariners and ensuring our industry continues to thrive. Chris Shirling-Rooke has done a tremendous job in ensuring that the Maritime Knowledge Hub becomes a reality and I am pleased that this new facility will make the North West the go-to destination for maritime and logistics.”
