News: Global maritime leaders give UK vote of confidence as London International Shipping Week gets underway
Survey respondents also predicted the UK’s maritime sector to continue to grow
Britain is viewed as one of the world’s leading maritime centres, and a highly competitive place to do business globally, a survey conducted by Maritime UK has found.
A
survey released to coincide with the start of London International Shipping
Week, when global maritime industry leaders gather for 160 industry events and
networking opportunities, found that an overwhelming number of respondents
believe British maritime to be in rude health.
More
than 84% of respondents agreed that the UK is a globally competitive place to
do business while 76% believe that the UK is amongst the world’s leading
maritime centres.
“The
survey shows that despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, British maritime
is in excellent health” said David Dingle, chairman of Maritime UK.
“Thanks
to the quality of our products and services, our maritime heritage, legal
system and language, Britain is considered a top-tier, world-leading maritime
centre.”
A
report also released today found that the maritime sector had experienced 12.7%
growth in turnover nationwide over a five-year period, and GVA increased by
3.9%. It also found that employment has risen by 3.9% over the same period
nationwide.
The
maritime sector now supports a total 957,300 jobs across the economy and
contributes £37.4bn to UK GDP.
“As
the engine of British trade, the UK maritime sector supports nearly 1 million
jobs, contribute tens of billions to the UK GDP and drive exports as well as
inward investment,” Mr. Dingle said.
The
importance of the sector will only grow post-Brexit. We’re supremely confident
that we can play a crucial role in positioning Britain as a leading,
outward-looking, global trading maritime nation.”
Asked why the UK remained a world-leading maritime centre,
- 82% identified the UK’s maritime heritage
- 67% identified the UK’s legal system
- 66% identified the English language
- 46% identified the UK’s offer in maritime business services
- 45% identified the ease of doing business in the UK
Other findings:
- 62% of global industry leaders were either ‘very’ or ’somewhat likely' to consider the UK as a relocation destination.
ENDS
Notes to editors: For more information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Henry Kirby, Senior Consultant at Right Angles
+44 (0) 7714 471152
or
Amy Williams, Consultant at
Right Angles
+44 (0) 7724 208044