During the visit a number of significant investments were showcased including Peel Ports’ Liverpool2 container terminal which is connecting UK businesses with transatlantic markets.

Shipping line MSC announced in March it was launching a new service between the Mediterranean and Canada including a stop off at Liverpool. MSC ad Maersk Line also announced a separate service from Liverpool to New York which began in 2018.

Mark Whitworth, Chief Executive of Peel Ports, said: “Our investments are opening up trade opportunities for UK firms and helping business to reduce costs, congestion and carbon emissions. The capabilities we have at the Port of Liverpool are creating a new centre of gravity for the logistics sector, providing jobs and training for a new generation of workers in the country’s most iconic maritime city.”

Peter Dowd MP said “We had wide ranging discussions on a number of areas including logistics, the rebalancing of the economy in the regions of the North of England, sustainable local employment creation, the challenges around rail and road access including the issue of wider infrastructure investment in multi modal forms of transport in relation to the needs of the environment. The meeting was constructive and recognised the challenges any major developments has on local communities.”

Judith Cummins MP, Shadow International Trade Minister, comments: “I was delighted to visit the Port of Liverpool. It is important to see first-hand the significance to international trade and to the British economy that the port plays.”

Peel Ports has made a number of investments in the North West over the past five years, totalling over £650m.

Other investments include the £125m tri-modal inland port facility and national distribution park, Port Salford, and the £100m biomass terminal at the Port of Liverpool.

Maritime is important for the North West Region. In England, outside London and the South East, the North West has the highest number of people working within the industry (34,600) and the highest GVA (£2.4 billion).