Mersey Maritime has shown its commitment to promoting the regions maritime industry and careers within it by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sea Vision, the UK’s leading campaigner on behalf of the maritime sector, on 30th September, World Maritime Day.

Mersey Maritime, the organisation established in February 2003 to act as a catalyst for business growth and investment in the region’s industry, is the third organisation to sign the MOU. This sets out how Sea Vision UK and regional representatives pursue their mutual aim of promoting greater public understanding of the nature and value of the maritime sector in the United Kingdom.

The signing comes in the same month that the first 22 young school leavers begin a unique Mersey Maritime apprenticeship in international trade and logistics, which was created in response to demand from the industry.

Ian Higby, chair of Mersey Maritime said: “Signing Sea Vision’s MOU reinforces our commitment to the promotion of the UK and Merseyside maritime industry as a powerful economic force which is of vital importance for the future growth of the region. We are confident that this will encourage more young people to consider the range of exciting careers within the maritime sector.”

Sea Vision UK campaigns to promote the UK’s maritime sector to the general public.  It brings together over 120 organisations and associations*1 which play a fundamental role in spreading the Sea Vision message of how important the sea is to the economy, trade and employment. Many partners promote Sea Vision at a regional level throughout the UK, dedicating resources and time to help deliver Sea Vision’s messages.

ENDS

For further information:                              Helen Williams
                                                                     Leapfrog PR
                                                                     Tel: 0151 707 6988
                                                                     helen@leapfrogpr.org

Issued:                                                         30 September 2004

Note to editors:

§ The Maritime sector on Merseyside is worth £1.3 billion and employs 6,000 people in 566 companies.  The Maritime Sector is one of the nine growth sectors identified and supported by The Mersey Partnership, Government Office North West and the Northwest Development Agency as vital for the future economic growth of the Liverpool City Region.

§ Sea Vision brings together a wide range of partner organisations including shipping, shipbuilding, marine equipment manufacture, ports, maritime financial and legal services, subsea technologies, the Royal Navy, Government, unions, the leisure industry, commercial fishing, universities and nautical colleges, professional institutes, voluntary services and more.
 
More information on Sea Vision is available at www.seavisionuk.org
More information on world maritime day is available at www.imo.org