With Party Conferences taking place in Brighton, Liverpool and Birmingham, the UK Major Ports Group really has been putting in the mileage over the past couple of weeks. Our CEO, Geraint, played a hat-trick of football matches and, alongside the British Ports Association, we hosted two informal dinners at Labour and Conservative Conferences.

Attending party conferences and hosting informal events that bring together parliamentarians and the maritime industry is an opportunity to shape policy, build relationships, and highlight the sector’s importance to the UK economy. These conferences serve as key moments when political decision-makers are open to new ideas and industry insights. By creating a space for informal discussions, we in the maritime industry can engage directly with MPs, policymakers, and influencers, raising awareness about critical issues such as trade, sustainability, port development, and maritime safety.

Our informal gatherings  provided a platform to build cross-party consensus on maritime priorities, ensuring the industry’s concerns and contributions are understood and integrated into party policies. This direct dialogue helps align government strategies with the sector’s long-term growth and resilience, fostering collaboration that benefits both the maritime community and the broader UK economy.