Government says Brexit is ‘opportunity’ for UK maritime
The London Shipping Week government reception was told by transport secretary Grant Shapps that the UK’s maritime sector will continue to receive full support from the government after the country has withdrawn from the European Union
Maritime UK chairman Harry Theochari says Britain’s shipping sector has survived other periods of disruption and will survive Brexit
BREXIT was not far away when the government hosted an event for the maritime community as part of London International Shipping Week.
Grant Shapps, the recently-appointed transport secretary, expressed his admiration for the global role played by Britain’s maritime cluster.
Mr Shapps pointed to the significance of London and other UK regions that would ensure the UK continued to punch above its weight in maritime even after leaving the European Union.
Brexit, he said, would bring “great opportunities” for Britain.
Maritime UK chairman Harry Theochari focused on the resilience of Britain’s shipping sector, which has survived other periods of disruption and would survive Brexit.
He emphasised the role of the rule of law which, he said, would always be a foundation for growth.
As a sector that facilitates 95% of all UK trade, “it’s encouraging to see significant increases to employment, productivity and growth over the past seven years”, he said.
The event, attended by the Princess Royal, who is a patron of Maritime UK, and shipping minister Nusrat Ghani, was held at Banqueting House, in London’s Whitehall.