Posted on: 9 June 2020
Maritime UK has published its Sector Recovery Plan, having written the document with its trade association and regional cluster members.
The plan sets out joint action for both industry and government across the three stages of recovery from the Coronavirus crisis: restart, recover, renew.
The Recovery Plan was tabled at a meeting of the Department for Transport’s Restart and Recovery Working Group, with Maritime UK briefing Ministers and Shadow Ministers on the Plan later this week.
The Maritime Sector Recovery Plan identifies the following priorities:
- Environment – Drive green growth to meet the UK’s net-zero commitments.
- Regional growth – Ensure a regionally balanced recovery that stimulates economic development in coastal communities.
- People – Enrich our workforce and recognise how Coronavirus has changed both working practices and projected labour market forecasts.
- Innovation – Foster increased levels of research and innovation to respond to the significant challenges and opportunities the global maritime sector faces.
- Competitiveness – Boost exports and maximise the attractiveness of the UK’s business environment.
Harry Theochari, Maritime UK Chair, said: “It is vital that government and industry work together to get all parts of the sector back on their feet and operating as soon as possible. Doing so will not only benefit one of Britain’s largest industrial sectors but particularly the coastal communities in which maritime supports significant economic activity.
“Whilst some parts of the sector are getting back to business, others will be unable to do so for a substantial period of time, either due to compliance with government policy or due to the seasonality of the trade. Indeed, some parts of the sector are only now entering their most depressed period.
Maritime London Chief Executive Jos Standerwick commented: “I have been invited to sit on the Government’s Restart and Recovery working group discussing the practical concerns regarding the return to work and what stimulus will be needed to energise the sector in the recovery. Our members, and the sector on whole, have risen to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 crisis, continuing to serve the global shipping community at the most challenging of times, which has been hugely encouraging and can only bode well as we move towards the recovery.”
The Plan reappraises industry’s prioritisation of Maritime 2050 recommendations.
