Regions for Port and Maritime Consultancy ~ North West

Maritime touches all of the NW, primarily Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria, but also Cheshire and Manchester through the Manchester Ship Canal. There are many ports, a centre for maritime commerce in Liverpool, and activity in all possible maritime sectors. It includes some 18,000 direct employees and generates turnover of over £3.3 billion. It is a significant component of the economy of the NW of England.

NWDA commissioned an analysis of NW maritime companies in Dec 2002, and a strategy for facilitating expansion of the sector. Download the strategy.

After a further 18 months in development, the strategy now revolves around various initiatives. These include:

• Sail NW: Download Sail NW Action Plan. Terms of Reference for Sail NW Development Study: Download
• Seafood NW: Download Seafood NW Action Plan. Terms of Reference for Seafood NW Development Study: Download
• Maritime NW Alliance for Business Skills: Download the Alliance's Action Plan and the brief for a new Traineeship for Port Operations Supervisors.
• Irish Sea Cruise Ground: Download Concept Study for new cruise ground.
• The Maritime NW Schools Challenge is another key initiative just getting underway. Download Maritime NW Schools Challenge Project Details.
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Logistics Skills Assessment, UK

Fisher Associates was appointed by Halton Borough Council to assess future skills needs generated by 3MG (Mersey Multimodal Gateway). (2007)

This is a major new rail / road freight handling and logistics park at Ditton covering roughly 180 hectares.  It will build upon the established assets of the location to create a sustainable 21st century freight park which is a flagship for the region and which will create up to 5,000 new jobs.

To support this, Halton Borough Council and its partners established a 3MG Skills Steering Group in order to understand the current and potential future skills needs of the logistics, warehousing and distribution, freight and haulage companies that will be inward investing into the site. Our brief was to

• Identify the current demand for skills from logistics sector related companies in Halton.
• Identify the likely future demand for skills by volume and vocational area from logistics companies locating on the 3MG site over the next 2 to 3 years.
• Make a quick audit of the provision / training available in Halton for Apprenticeships, Further Education and Train to Gain (from across the North West) and through specialist providers such as Logistics College North West, highlighting any gaps.
• Make recommendations of how these future employment opportunities can be made accessible to Halton’s long term unemployed adults resident in NRF areas.

Maritime NW Schools Challenge, UK

We conceived and developed a highly innovative project to encourage schools to integrate maritime into the schools curriculum, and to encourage linkages between schools and industry. Covering all aspects of the marine industry, the Challenge involved all Key Stages doing projects under the themes of engineering, environment, and trade & transportation. (1 Fisher, 2004/5)

Action Plan for Maritime NW Alliance for Skills & Productivity, UK

On behalf of a cross-departmental group within Northwest Development Agency, we managed the formation and chaired the Alliance in its first year. The objective of the Alliance is to bring together key stakeholders from the maritime industry, with national training organisations, regional stakeholders such as the Learning & Skills Councils, and Cluster Groups. (1 Fisher, 2004/5)

Marine Leisure Sector Development, NW England

We were retained by the North West Regional Development Agency to advise on development of the marine leisure sector. This involved an analysis of the potential for the industry to grow in the region. It resulted in setting up an industry led body called Sail NW, a not for profit company limited by guarantee. We prepared an action plan,  and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston launched the company at the 2005 London Boat Show.

The NW RDA withdrew its funding for the initiative causing it to come to an early close, however the potential identified for the industry is being realised. Marinas are full and expanding, and new facilities are planned as part of regeneration projects in Barrow and Workington.

Port of Workington Governance Advice, UK

The Port of Workington had falling volumes over a number of years due to cessation of traditional cargo handling activities. Owned by Cumbria County Council (CCC), it experienced a spiral of decline, and part of the main dock failed structurally and had to be closed.

CCC attempted to sell the port, but received no offers. It considered closure, but this would incur significant expense, a legal battle (need to obtain permissions), and economic and political consequences. Nor could it be reconstituted as a Trust Port without a significant dowry.

CCC formed an alliance with the two relevant district local authorities, the local regeneration partnership, and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (RDA), and a Steering Group was created. Fisher Associates was appointed to the Steering Group by the RDA to provide relevant ports expertise, and act as the RDA representative.

The case was made for several million pounds of regeneration funding. We advised the RDA to support proposals only if accompanied by a prior commitment by full Council to reform governance of the port. We arranged for Department for Transport's participation in consultation, and their advice supported this position.

The outcome was that a new Harbour Board was set up, based broadly upon the Whitstable model. An independent person chairs the Board (as of 2006). Having met this condition precedent, substantial funding was put into the harbour as part of a major regeneration project for the harbour area.

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