Partnership between maritime industry giants strengthens UK’s maritime cluster promising a bright future for members

National Maritime SSA makes its debut at LISW 2017

A major new force in the UK maritime industry has been created following an agreement announced today (5 September) between National Maritime and the Shipbuilders & Shiprepairers Association.

The deal is being heralded as a perfect marriage between National Maritime, the country’s fastest growing and most dynamic maritime network, and SSA, the UK’s oldest maritime trade association and widely regarded as the ‘voice of the marine industry’.

The partnership is called National Maritime SSA. It makes its debut at London International Shipping Week 2017, where two jointly organised events are planned.

The agreement will see both partners share resources and jointly develop their business growth strategies, strengthen their industry reach and influence, deliver additional benefits to members, and also attract more companies to join. Kent-based National Maritime has more than 600 members and SSA has nearly 70 and is based in Sunderland.

Peter Green, Chief Executive of National Maritime, has taken over the Chief Executive role at SSA. National Maritime is also responsible for providing a wide range of administration, business support and membership services to SSA.

Peter explained that National Maritime SSA will collaborate on everything from organising joint events to championing the UK’s diverse maritime industry on the national and international stage.

He said: “The partnership delivers real benefits to both organisations. SSA can tap into the drive, energy and momentum of the fastest growing maritime body in the country, while sharing in the membership benefits and first rate organisational skills that we can offer. National Maritime is excited to be working with a hugely-respected organisation which has great influence and presence in the corridors of power both at Westminster and across Europe and the world.

“With Brexit and all its complexities and business uncertainties around the corner, it’s more important than ever that companies working in our all-important maritime sector have a strong voice representing them at the top table,” added Peter.

SSA President Dr Richard Freeman said: “I’m hugely excited at this development. It is a bold and ambitious partnership which promises to deliver significant benefits to our members, who represent the backbone of the industry in Britain.”

While continuing his role as the SSA President, Richard will also take over as Chair of National Maritime to ensure there is a common forward looking strategy for this new organisation. He will also co-chair the Blue Council, the strategic working group of National Maritime that seeks to improve interaction with industry to help address issues and promote the interests that affect business and communities, to drive sector and economic growth.

National Maritime drives trade, productivity and growth for maritime industries from its maritime hub, Blue Space, organises an extensive array of maritime and business support events annually, manages the Jobs in Maritime service, and offers brokerages to expand its member’s maritime businesses. SSA represents an array of businesses in maritime working groups with UK government and industry and is involved in collaborative projects with European shipyards and maritime organisations.

The UK is home to the largest maritime sector in Europe and generates an estimated £56bn of UK GDP, employing 10% of the UK’s workforce.

For more details about National Maritime SSA contact Sezen Zeki at National Maritime on 02035 885175 or email sezen.zeki@nmdg.co.uk

For details of the two events at LISW 2017 visit:
https://londoninternationalshippingweek.com/event/national-maritime-mit-technical-talks-how-compliant-is-international-shipping-oil-monitoring-and-elimination-from-industry-experts/

https://londoninternationalshippingweek.com/event/time-tide-lisw2017-special-with-national-maritime-ssa-shipbuilders-shiprepairers-association/