The British Ports Association (BPA) issued an economic recovery plan for the government, which highlights the important role ports have in the UK’s healing from the deepest economic condition.
Specifically, the proposal includes a Green Marine Fund to drive sustainable development and help stimulate growth consistent with Net Zero aims. A key message is to energise our ports by igniting their potential to fire up the economy.
The plan includes a framework for recovery, providing government with ideas on how to unlock the untapped potential of UK ports to drive growth; supporting a recovery process that brings all of the regions of the UK along with it – to create a stronger Britain than ever before.
Accordingly, it focuses on three key areas:
- Continued medium-term cash flow and business support
- A massive scaling up of the UK’s infrastructure ambitions including a Green Maritime Fund for sustainable development
- A bold and broad-based inclusive Freeports and fast track planing policy
The plan also includes short, medium and long-term initiatives, explaining how government can utilise ports and the wider maritime industry, not only to administer first aid to the economy in its first steps towards recovery but to prevent economic aftershocks and stimulate growth for years to come.
This plan is for 2020 and beyond.
