MP Robert Goodwill speaks on UK maritime growth
The UK Government (Gov.UK) has pledged their commitment to UK maritime growth.
MP Robert Goodwill, Department for Transport, addressed the Royal Yachting Association at the London Boat Show yesterday.
In his address he said “The Royal Yachting Association upholds maritime standards, but it also contributes to our maritime economy.
World sea trade is expected to double by the year 2030, and maritime centres in Europe and the Far East are undergoing rapid growth.
Goodwill published the government’s formal response to Lord Mountevans’s study in December 2015.
Part of his response focussed on the growth of the UK Ship Register and the recent appointment of Simon Barham to be the MCA’s new director.
Simon will be primarily focused on attracting owners of quality ships to sign up to the UK Flag and working to secure the long-term commercial success of the UK Ship Register. He brings 40 years of maritime experience to the task from a varied career in the industry.
Meanwhile, the MCA is reforming its survey and inspection function to make it more flexible, efficient and customer-focused.
In the longer-term, the government hopes to build on these changes and continue to make the MCA, and the services it provides, more responsive and commercially focused.
Goodwill said “the recreational side of the maritime industry is just as important to the UK economy as the more directly commercial side.”
The government is clear that growth in the yachting industry is very much part of the growth of the whole maritime sector.
Goodwill concluded his address by saying “I would like to say thank you to the Royal Yachting Association for your support for what we are trying to achieve for the sector.”
