UK minister puts maritime at heart of UK growth

Maritime is intrinsically linked to the Government’s growth mission and will play a crucial role in creating jobs, attracting investment and developing the technologies of tomorrow, the UK Maritime Minister said at the official launch of London International Shipping Week 2027 (LISW27).

Speaking to more than 250 guests made up of senior representatives from across shipping, government and the wider maritime community, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics Keir Mather said the importance of the sector to the UK economy extended far beyond its role in connecting the country to international markets.

“Maritime is intrinsically linked to this Government’s growth mission. Nothing can happen without our maritime sector,” he said.

“It doesn’t just connect this island nation to a global marketplace. It creates high-quality jobs in our coastal communities. It supports our booming tourism industry, especially through the cruise sector, but it is also crucial in pioneering the industries and technologies of tomorrow and championing the roll-out of clean energy.”

The UK economy could do with some help. Recent economic data from the Office for National Statistics estimates that UK real GDP increased by just 0.4% in the second quarter of 2026, though this was 1.2% higher than in the same quarter of 2025.

Over the same period, Eurostat estimates that real GDP across the EU was 1.4% higher year-on-year averaged out over the 27 members, but the two largest economies, Germany and France, recorded less than the UK at 0.9% and 0.7% respectively.

The Shipping Week event, which was held at Norton Rose Fulbright’s offices in London, officially started the countdown to LISW27, which will take place across London from 13–17 September next year, bringing together shipowners, managers, governments, regulators, insurers, financiers, lawyers, technology companies and other maritime leaders from around the world.

“We need to know from you how maritime can stay ahead of the innovation curve in this country, how we can build a workforce that is truly fit for the future and how we can strengthen our resilience, both in our shipping sector and at our ports,” said Mather.

Nick Shaw, Chair of the LISW27 Board of Advisors and CEO of the International Group of P&I Clubs, said the scale of the challenges facing international shipping made bringing government and industry together increasingly important.

“Geopolitical instability, decarbonisation, digital transformation, regulatory change and the continuing need to protect our seafarers are creating challenges of enormous complexity,” he said.

“None of these issues will be resolved by one company, one organisation or one country acting alone. They will require expertise, imagination and, most importantly, collaboration.”

Keir Mather is the youngest MP in Parliament, having been elected at the age of 25 in 2023. He was appointed as the youngest minister since William Gladstone in 1834, making him the youngest government minister in 130 years.