News: Maritime UK commissions major research on value of sector

Maritime UK has commissioned the Centre of Economic and Business Research (Cebr) to produce its 2021 State of the Maritime Nation research series. The study will examine the economic impacts of the maritime sector, on a national, regional and industry basis.

The research was last undertaken in 2019 and launched at the House of Commons during London International Shipping Week. It found that the maritime sector contributes £46.1bn to the UK economy annually, and supports more than 1.1 million jobs. The 2021 report will make similar assessment and provide economic forecasting taking the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK's exit from the European Union into account.

The 2021 research series will comprise of the following reports: 

• National impacts and economic forecast for the UK maritime sector
• Impact reports and economic forecasts for the maritime industries:
• Shipping
• Ports
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Leisure marine
• Maritime professional services

• Regional reports and economic forecasts for:
• Scotland (funded by the Scottish government)
• Merseyside (funded by Mersey Maritime)
• Solent (funded by Solent LEP)
• Northern Ireland (funded by Invest Northern Ireland)

• The study will also include a report on the impact of the maritime sector on coastal communities across the UK, funded by the Department for Transport.

The research is expected to output in the Autumn of 2021.