The inaugural Maritime Logistics & Energy thematic within the International Festival for Business 2014 has come to a close. Highlighting Liverpool’s international role as a mercantile, maritime and global trade gateway city, the MLE fortnight’s 48 events wrapped up on June 20.
Chris Shirling-Rooke, Commercial Director for Mersey Maritime said, “The MLE fortnight in June has been a huge success. We have been able to showcase the breadth of talent and expertise that Liverpool has to offer on a global level. With support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and key partners including Bibby Line Group, Cammell Laird and Peel Ports, we have been able to deliver a program which has helped businesses forge new relationships and ultimately boost the economy through these new links while reinstating Liverpool as an international player within the shipping industry.”
Mersey Maritime worked in partnership with Shipping Innovation Ltd. to host the event in Liverpool. Shipping Innovation organized the London International Shipping Week in 2013 and which is due to be held again between September 7-11, 2015.
The International Festival for Business 2014 is part of a government initiative to help boost trade and to reassert the U.K. as a heavyweight trading force globally. MLE was one of seven thematics to be held during the 50-day festival which will run across seven weeks in June and July.
Highlights and key topics and events covered from June 9-20 during the Maritime Logistics & Energy thematic included:
-Shipping in Changing Climates conference
-Introduction to Bunkering seminar
-Series of industry networking events featuring high profile speakers including Sir Tim McClement KCB, hosted by Mersey Maritime
-Institute of Export round table hosted by Lesley Batchelor OBE, Director General of the IoE.
-Grant Thornton-hosted seminar focused on ‘Ports as Places’
-Isle of Man Maritime Group seminars and networking events designed to highlight the wide range of maritime and related services available on the Isle of Man, hosted across two days onboard the three masted tallship Kathleen & May on Liverpool’s historic waterfront
-KPMG-hosted seminar focused on the changing face of transport and logistics
-Presentation on supply chains in the chemical industry due to the chemical sector being the biggest exporter in the North West
-‘Bibby Day’ – two x half day conferences hosted by Liverpool headquartered Bibby Line Group, including an evening cocktail reception for key clients
-Atlantic Action Seminar which touched on the financial opportunities and projects for small to medium sized enterprises.
-Roundtable event with Louise Ellman MP, Chairman of Transport Select Committee and MP for Liverpool Riverside; Director General of DG Mare Lowri Evans and Vice President of the European Investment Bank Jonathan Taylor
-Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association held an all-day seminar
-Conference held on the crucial role the shipping and port sectors play
-Piracy security issues
-Industry black tie gala dinner with speakers including EU Commissioner Maria Damanaki; Minister for Employment Esther McVey; and Vice Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB, Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Staff, Royal Navy.
