The UK Government’s Transport Select Committee is launching a new inquiry into industry and government action in response to the Maritime Growth Study, a report on the UK’s maritime sector, published by the Department for Transport in September 2015.
The report was the culmination of an in-depth study of the whole UK maritime sector: shipping and ports, and the range of associated business services. It set out a number of recommendations, to the maritime industry and the Government, designed to ensure the UK maintains its status as a world-leading maritime centre and can take advantage of opportunities for global growth.
The Committee intends to monitor progress towards implementation of the Study’s recommendations, and consider the adequacy of the overall strategy for the UK maritime sector, including in the context of the UK exiting the European Union.
The Committee invites written evidence submissions to the inquiry addressing one or more of the following points:
- The work of the UK maritime industry, and the UK Government, in providing leadership and a coherent vision for the maritime sector as a whole;
- The success to date of actions to increase the commercial focus and culture of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA);
- The success to date of actions to grow the UK Ship Register (the “UK Flag”);
- Steps taken by the industry and the UK Government to identify and address maritime skills shortages, including the Maritime Skills Investment Fund; maritime apprenticeships; training schemes; and promotion of maritime careers;
- Industry progress towards the development of a single marketing strategy for the UK maritime sector;
- The UK Government’s progress towards the promotion of the maritime sector to inward investors, including through UK Trade and Investment and foreign embassies;
- Industry and UK Government progress towards increasing the competitiveness of UK ports, including through investment in surface access;
- Industry and UK Government support for the UK cruise industry; and
- The adequacy of the overall plan for the UK maritime sector, including in the context of the potential implications of the UK exiting the European Union, and how the strategy may need to evolve.
The deadline for written submissions via the Committee website is Friday, 24th February 2017.
