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The Northern Maritime Powerhouse: Driving global trade post-Brexit
The Northern Maritime Powerhouse, digitalisation in ports, coastal shipping, the importance of maritime clusters and the increasingly prominent role of women in shipping will all be debated by a first-class line up of speakers at the International Maritime Forum, part of the International Business Festival in Liverpool.
The conference will look at how digitalisation and increased connectivity can enhance processes and drive innovation to boost global trade. It will also discuss blockchain technologies and Big Data in the context of streamlining shipping and port operations to the lasting benefit of the end-users as well as the importers and exporters.
Among the stella line-up of speakers are H.E. Daniel Fábrega, the Republic of Panama’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization and Lord (John) Prescott, a life-long advocate of shipping, trade and connectivity, particularly in the north of England.
The first session ‘Driving Global Trade’ will be opened by Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director of Policy and Strategy at the International Association of Ports and Harbors. He will joined by Mr Fábrega; Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of British Ports Association; Lord Prescottand Mark Woodhead, Senior Vice-President for Europe, Middle East and Africa at KVH Industries.
Luc Arnouts, Director International Networks, Port of Antwerp, will look at enhancing supply chain efficiency and transparency through digitalisation and Martin Stopford, President, Clarkson Research, will discuss why the UK needs to invest in an innovative coastal shipping sector. The session will include a lively panel debate featuring Stephen Weaver, Head of Commercial Strategy at P&O Ferries, Andrew Byrne, Managing Director of DFDS Seaways and Simon Bird, Director of Humber Ports.
A key session will focus on the New Era, the importance of maritime clusters and applying China’s One Belt, One Road concept to the international shipping sector. Speakers include Dick Welsh, Director at the Isle of Man Registry; Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO, Mersey Maritime; Mark O’ Reily, CEO & Chairman of Team Humber Marine Alliance, Colin Lavelle, Legal Director at Hill Dickinson Liverpool.
