Member Article

Liverpool to host key international logistics conference

Liverpool is to be the setting for a major international conference on logistics infrastructure and the European Commission’s ‘Motorways of the Sea’ initiative, estimated to be worth more than £1 billion.

The initiative is designed to streamline and promote new intermodal maritime-based logistics chains across Europe.

The city was selected to host the event due to both its historic prominence as one of the world’s great ports, plus the opportunities being opened up by the current £1billion Superport-related investments in logistics facilities across the city region.

The conference is to be held at No 1 Mann Island on May 20 and 21, and takes place during UKTI’s Export Week.

Offering the latest information on EU funding and policy developments relating to the ‘Motorways of the Sea’ programme, the event is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from ports and shipping bodies across Europe, as well as Commission policy makers, and UK business leaders and academics.

Among those making keynote addresses will be former Deputy Prime Minister - and ship’s steward - Lord Prescott.

Technical sessions will showcase learning and solutions from 20 EU-funded projects, and highlight key issues to be addressed via future EU policy and funding.

The conference will be moderated by former North West MEP and European Parliament Transport Committee chair Brian Simpson, who is now the ‘Motorways of the Sea’ project coordinator.

In advance of the event, on the afternoon of 19 May, 30-minute surgery sessions are available with EU Commission and UK Department of Transport officials in order to discuss potential projects.

Lord Prescott said: “Like me, Liverpool has the sea in its blood and I am very pleased to be involved in this event.

“I applaud the city’s renaissance linked to this vitally important sector, and look forward to, sharing my own vision for enhanced multimodal connectivity along the corridor from Liverpool-Hull as critical gateways to markets in Ireland, Northern Europe and beyond, with the economic benefits this will bring.”

Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership executive director Mark Basnett said: “This conference marks a key point in the maturation of the City Region’s renewed standing in the international logistics sector and as a core port on the European network.

“Do not be mistaken that this event is just a talking shop: it has real purpose, not least during UK Export Week.

“The chance to get the latest information and influence policy and funding decisions, combined with the opportunity for a face-to face session with key officials, makes this is a must-attend event for anyone interested in trying to secure funding from the Motorways of the Sea and wider Connecting Europe Facility programmes.

“It is also the perfect opportunity to showcase the cluster of multi-modal assets that is Superport Liverpool to a diverse international audience, from Peel Ports’ £300 million investment in the new Liverpool 2 deep water container port, to the new Mersey Crossing in Halton and potential intermodal rail freight interchange on the former Parkside Colliery in St. Helens.”

The EU Commission official responsible for the ‘Motorways of the Sea’ initiative, José Anselmo, said: “DG MOVE is delighted to hold this important event in Liverpool, given its historic status as a leading world port, plus the scale of ambition to renew and enhance its infrastructure both within the port and across the wider hinterland.

“The presentations by previous projects from across the EU provide very valuable learning, while we also use events like this to listen very closely to the needs of businesses and agencies involved in the maritime and logistics industries, and inform future policy and funding. So if you have a project idea or opinion about key issues then please use this opportunity to bring these to our attention.

Delegates should register at http://attending.io/events/liverpoolmos2015

The conference is free to attend.

In early June, the city will also host the International Federation of Warehousing Logistics Association’s Annual Convention, preceded by the Logistics Leaders Network Lunch on May 26.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .