Port champions international trade

Portsmouth International Port has thrown its support behind a brand-new national awards ceremony recognising the best of the UK’s maritime sector. The port, a key gateway to and from the UK for ferries, cruise and freight, has been named as a key partner of the first ever Maritime UK Awards

The Portsmouth International Port is to sponsor the International Trade category at the Maritime UK Awards, an element of the marine industry that port director Mike Sellers says is particularly important to recognise.

He said: “At Portsmouth International Port we understand how crucial the maritime industry is to the UK’s position on the global stage, which is why we’re championing businesses engaged in worldwide activity by sponsoring the International Trade award.

“There are many diverse and successful partnerships operating at an international level, it is important that we put on a spotlight on these achievements and celebrate the contributions being made to creating a thriving and ambitious maritime industry.”

The port itself plays an important part in international trade in the UK. It imports and exports 3.9m tonnes of freight every year and an impressive two million passengers come through the port annually.
If you’ve eaten a banana this week the chances are it’s come through Portsmouth, with the port importing most of the bananas eaten in the UK.

Ben Murray, Director at Maritime UK, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Portsmouth International Port on the International Trade Award, located in the Solent as one of the UK’s key strategic trade gateways. What better port to champion international trade than Portsmouth? With ferries to the continent, high numbers of international cruise calls, growing container volumes and sizeable quantities of fresh produce, Portsmouth really embodies the breadth of our international trade.”

Stuart Baker, Head of Local Growth at the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and Chair of the Maritime UK Regional Council, added: “We’re excited that the inaugural awards will take place in the Solent region. It simply wouldn’t be happening without the input from organisations like Portsmouth International Port, which is investing to grow. We’re extremely grateful to the port for its support.”
The Maritime UK Awards will take place in a different region of the UK every year and Solent LEP was instrumental in ensuring the inaugural event would be held in the Solent.
The Maritime UK Awards - Solent 2019 will take place in Southampton on 19th September, as thousands of people descend on the city for the Southampton International Boat Show.
Entries are still open for the Maritime UK Awards, which are open to companies from across the breadth of the maritime sector and its shipping, ports, services, engineering, and leisure marine industries.