OneVoice evaluates role of UK maritime sector

The key findings of the research, conducted by economic consultants Oxford Economics, are that the UK maritime services cluster supports around 500,000 jobs in total and contributes around £25bn in GDP. Ports handle 95 per cent of the UK’s international trade by volume, support employment in sectors such as fishing and chemicals, and support the offshore energy sector, as well as sports and tourism.

“The report confirms how crucial the UK maritime services sector is to UK plc,” said Michael Drayton, chairman of OneVoice. “OneVoice is in its infancy, but this report provides real flesh to the bones of the initiative as the maritime industry looks to establish a substantial and telling political footprint on a range of issues.”

Richard Everitt, chairman of the UK Major Ports Group, said: “This is an important and timely report. For the first time we have a comprehensive overview of the vital economic contribution of the ports sector. … This report puts ports and the maritime sector firmly on the national economic map.”