Posted on: 10 July 2024
Mike Kane MP (pictured) has been appointed the UK’s new Maritime Minister following the Labour Party’s general election victory last week, which saw Sir Keir Starmer take over from Rishi Sunak as the country’s Prime Minister.
Jos Standerwick, Chief Executive of Maritime London, said: “I very much welcome the appointment of Mike Kane as Minister for Maritime. Maritime London looks forward to working closely with Minister Kane and his team.
“The shipping industry’s exposure to national and supranational regulation has never been so pronounced. Collaboration with government is key to maintaining and enhancing the UK’s leadership in maritime professional services and securing the UK’s crucial role in the facilitation of global trade.”
Rhett Hatcher, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping, reacted to the news by saying: “I congratulate Mike Kane on his appointment as Maritime Minister. Having shadowed the maritime brief for most of the last Parliament he brings a wealth of knowledge to the role and is ably placed to hit the ground running. I look forward to working together to help ensure shipping continues to be at the heart of UK prosperity.
“There is much to be done across government for the shipping sector,” Hatcher added. “Early focus should be on a long- term decarbonisation plan, ensuring our approach to maritime borders helps, rather than hinders, trade and working with the sector to deliver the workforce we need now and in the future.”
Earlier the Chief Executive of Maritime UK, Chris Shirling-Rooke, had issued his congratulations to incoming Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, also urging him to prioritise the interests and economic prosperity of coastal communities in the Government’s upcoming plans and agenda.
The UK maritime industries – including ports, professional services, leisure marine, shipping and engineering – support over 1.1 million jobs across the country, Shirling-Roke pointed out, and as a sector are worth more than rail and aviation combined. “There is no time to waste,” he said, adding: “It is time to get serious about maritime.”
