{"id":78070,"date":"2017-01-17T15:20:24","date_gmt":"2017-01-17T15:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=f8566cde6ab6250f841feb564cd6b578"},"modified":"2017-01-17T15:20:24","modified_gmt":"2017-01-17T15:20:24","slug":"speech-our-island-nation-maritime-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=78070","title":{"rendered":"Speech: Our island nation: maritime growth"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Good evening everyone.<\/p>\n

Welcome to this maritime reception.<\/p>\n

So many leaders from the maritime sector.<\/p>\n

And, I see, a number of my parliamentary colleagues are here because you are as proud as I am of our work.<\/p>\n

But I am also particularly pleased to see here the ambassadors and representatives from several countries.<\/p>\n

So many of our friends, who can see for themselves the importance we place on our maritime businesses and the crucial role we know they will play in our economic future.<\/p>\n

The sea and those who work on it and for it contribute about \u00a313.5 billion to our economy in its own right and employs over 110,000 people.<\/p>\n

Significant to the economy.<\/p>\n

Important to what we are, who we are, as a people.<\/p>\n

An island race.<\/p>\n

A maritime nation.<\/p>\n

That significance is captured within the booklet \u2018The UK is a world class maritime centre<\/a>\u2019 which you will already have seen.<\/p>\n

It is both an expression of the UK maritime offer and the start of a journey.<\/p>\n

A journey towards the next major staging post in the coming year, the flagship event that is London International Shipping Week 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We have achieved much since the publication of the Maritime Growth Study which I began when I was Shipping Minister the first time.<\/p>\n

We have put in place a solid set of structures within government including a successful ministerial working group based on constructive engagement with the industry.<\/p>\n

I am encouraged by the way that industry has come together following the publication of the study in September 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The efforts from across the whole industry have been impressive.<\/p>\n

Bringing together so many organisational bodies.<\/p>\n

Often with very different objectives.<\/p>\n

Many of which can sometimes seem contradictory.<\/p>\n

Yet we are working under one promotional umbrella to address all the major issues affecting the sector.<\/p>\n

Maritime UK is becoming the voice of the UK maritime sector.<\/p>\n

In that spirit can I offer your thanks and mine to David as Chairman for his continued hard work in this challenging role.<\/p>\n

We are in the right place, at the forefront of the efforts to secure the best deal for the UK as we leave the EU.<\/p>\n

However as Benjamin Disraeli so eloquently put it.<\/p>\n

\n

The secret of success is constancy to purpose.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Constancy means we cannot afford to relax, we must make the best of every opportunity.<\/p>\n

Constancy means we must commit to working together both now and right up to the time when the UK exits the European Union and long beyond.<\/p>\n

Constancy means we must be absolutely confident that the world knows that we are ready to grasp these opportunities.<\/p>\n

Our purpose is clear – for Britain maritime sector to be as great as it can be \u2013 greater than we imagined possible over recent years.<\/p>\n

What might that mean?<\/p>\n

Well I am going to present you with a challenge to identify the key trade and export opportunities and what you think you need from this government to make them happen.<\/p>\n

Of course the gateway for our exports is through its ports and what we buy comes that way too.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s not enough to get goods off the ships, we have to get them to where they are needed.<\/p>\n

So the Department for Transport is committed to improving the UK\u2019s transport network through its \u00a314 billion Road Investment Strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And spending over \u00a340 billion on maintenance and improvement of the rail network.<\/p>\n

As well as considering what the possibilities might be for improving connectivity to those ports.<\/p>\n

We also need to think about the essential contribution made by those who work within the sector.<\/p>\n

I have decided that the time is right to conduct an assessment of where we are on the recommendations relating to all aspects of the Maritime Growth Study<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I want to make it quite clear that this is not a case of redoing work that\u2019s already been done.<\/p>\n

I always envisaged the study as a \u2018living document\u2019 a \u2018starting gate\u2019 not a \u2018finishing line\u2019.<\/p>\n

It is right in any event to look again at the recommendations from the study a year or so on to be sure that we had our priorities right.<\/p>\n

Certainly, leaving the EU obliges us to consider those priorities afresh.<\/p>\n

I want you all to be involved in that assessment process.<\/p>\n

Inserted in the booklet before you is a page inviting you to highlight what you see as future priorities to help inform my assessment.<\/p>\n

So please give me the benefit of your expertise.<\/p>\n

One of the 4 major themes from the study is \u2018skills\u2019.<\/p>\n

The UK rightly prides itself on producing many of the best-trained officers and crew serving on ships around the world.<\/p>\n

As well as those with expertise in areas such as law, insurance, finance and the logistical skills for managing ships and ports.<\/p>\n

An incredible skills base that supports the whole maritime sector.<\/p>\n

Our pride in all we are and confidence in all we can be must be measured against increasing competition we face, especially from the far east.<\/p>\n

To develop the right strategies and support to maintain and enhance our existing reputation for high quality.<\/p>\n

The government currently supports maritime training through the \u00a315 million support for maritime training budget.<\/p>\n

This covers just over a third of the cost.<\/p>\n

We are reviewing the provision of that support and are talking to you in the maritime industry about options.<\/p>\n

You will already know that the government is also committed to increasing the quality and quantity of apprenticeships,<\/p>\n

3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020.<\/p>\n

The maritime sector has a very strong record on apprenticeships, and I\u2019m delighted to see new opportunities being developed.<\/p>\n

I want to see the number of trainees \u2013 both ratings and officers \u2013 increase.<\/p>\n

I am open to exploring innovative options at how we do this when it comes to supporting trainees in the further development of their careers.<\/p>\n

And let us be clear, I want to be sure that we are looking across the board at the skills and opportunities our sector needs.<\/p>\n

From those working on inland waterways, to those working in our Ports and onboard ships.<\/p>\n

We have to think not just of opportunities at sea but ensuring that we make best use of that skills and experience on shore.<\/p>\n

As you all know, half the recommendations from the study relate to skills in one form or another.<\/p>\n

But what are the new factors we should be considering?<\/p>\n

Does the strategy still strike the right balance?<\/p>\n

As a former Minister for Further Education and Apprenticeships, skills have long been close to my heart.<\/p>\n

Identifying and nurturing the talent of tomorrow and ensuring they have the opportunities they need.<\/p>\n

Maintaining and enhancing our reputation for a world-class skilled maritime workforce.<\/p>\n

And let no one be in any doubt that I I will be looking at government leadership, industry leadership and marketing with exactly the same level of thoroughness.<\/p>\n

Finally, I want to make an important announcement.<\/p>\n

You will of course be aware that one of the conclusions from the Maritime Growth Study was that a strong \u2018flag\u2019 is a vital component of the support we need to meet our shared objective of growing the maritime sector in the UK.<\/p>\n

The work that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA<\/abbr>) has already done and continues to do to transform itself in general and the UK Ship Register<\/a> in particular has achieved much.<\/p>\n

The MCA<\/abbr> and the Ship Register have always been about delivering a quality product.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, to grow the register we need to adopt a more commercial approach.<\/p>\n

And having concluded that we will need the services of those with the expertise and experience to help us take this forward.<\/p>\n

We have done rather well in that effort so far.<\/p>\n

Many of you will know already that Michael Parker, a former Chair of CMA CGM has agreed to join the MCA<\/abbr> as Non-Executive Chair<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To drive a commercial agenda across the whole MCA<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

I am happy to tell you that we will hear from Michael shortly.<\/p>\n

Now it gives me equal pleasure to announce the appointment of Doug Barrow<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Who most of you will know from his role as Chief Executive with Maritime London.<\/p>\n

As the new Director responsible for the UK Ship Register, with a remit to continue the work already begun in establishing the register as a separate directorate within the MCA<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n

And to develop a commercial and customer-focused culture that builds on recent growth.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

Britain has an extraordinary maritime history.<\/p>\n

So many triumphs, so strong.<\/p>\n

And we have so many strengths today.<\/p>\n

A strong flag.<\/p>\n

Competitive maritime services.<\/p>\n

World-leading expertise.<\/p>\n

We have clear and shared commitment to work together to do more, to be still greater.<\/p>\n

To broadcast the UK maritime\u2019s successes and significance.<\/p>\n

To promote our maritime sector to the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

A place that is open for business.<\/p>\n

To recognise, to celebrate our strengths and build on them.<\/p>\n

A continuing competitive advantage.<\/p>\n

To identify and overcome the barriers to success.<\/p>\n

Finding new ways to attract maritime businesses to the UK\u2019s shores, and continuing to support the best and the brightest reach their potential in their maritime careers.<\/p>\n

That is what we all want.<\/p>\n

A nation that can be proud of our maritime sector.<\/p>\n

Proud of the glory of our maritime past.<\/p>\n

Of what was then.<\/p>\n

Still more proud of what we can be in the future.<\/p>\n

Of what we will be then.<\/p>\n

When all know what we here are sure of.<\/p>\n

That sure and skilled.<\/p>\n

Certain and ambitious.<\/p>\n

We will reach beyond our doubts.<\/p>\n

Stretch further than our hopes.<\/p>\n

Do our best.<\/p>\n

Be the best.<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Maritime reception address mentioning the ‘UK is a world class maritime centre’ booklet, growth study, recent appointments and successes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78070"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=78070"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78070\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=78070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=78070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=78070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}