Minister for Transport visits the Southampton Boat Show

The Minister for Transport, Rt Hon John Hayes MP, visits the Southampton Boat Show © onEdition

The Minister for Transport, Rt Hon John Hayes MP, today visited the Southampton Boat Show to see the best of British boating and celebrate the continued success of the industry.

He met with representatives from British Marine member companies Sunseeker International, Princess Yachts and Williams Jet Tenders, as well as the chairman of Maritime UK and Chief Executive of British Marine, organiser of the Southampton Boat Show.

The purpose of the visit was to witness firsthand the depth and breadth of the UK marine industry showcased at the Show. During the visit the Minister also visited the UKTI Export Hub, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Headquarters.

Speaking at the Show, Minister for Transport, Rt Hon John Hayes MP said: "Britain has world-class marine industries which play an important role in our economy. It is only just a year since the publication of the Maritime Growth Study and already we are seeing our industry partners taking major steps forward in how they market and grow this industry. Shows like this are a key to supporting and increasing export growth and showcase the leading UK companies who are pushing the boundaries in innovation and emerging technologies. With Government and industry working together we can continue our proud history as a powerhouse of marine industries."

Commenting on the success of the Southampton Boat Show, David Dingle CBE, Chairman of Maritime UK commented: "As Britain's biggest boating festival, the Southampton Boat Show is a spectacular showcase of the diversity, scale and innovation present right across the UK Maritime sector."

Howard Pridding, Chief Executive, British Marine added: "Our UK boat shows are not just fantastic sales and showcase opportunities. They provide a vital platform for British Marine and the industry to engage with Government, to raise important issues. The UK's vote to leave the European Union has created significant uncertainty for our members. But today, important companies across our industry have been able to meet with the Minister responsible for maritime affairs and provide him firsthand with details on the challenges and opportunities that face our sector. Only by working together can we develop a strategy that will ensure the future success and growth of our industry and the UK."

The Minister for Transport, Rt Hon John Hayes MP, visits the Southampton Boat Show - photo © onEdition

Chris Gates, Managing Director, Princess Yachts commented: "It was reassuring that the Minister recognised the importance of the marine industry, the impact it has within the UK economy and that the leading players in the industry have a global presence, interacting with the world's key decision makers. We are one of the last remaining manufacturers in the UK with such a vertically complex and integrated process, because we design and build our yachts in Plymouth, with over 2000 employees and one of the most highly recognised apprentice programmes. It is therefore incredibly important that clarity be created around Brexit discussions to ensure confidence remains in our industry."

Phil Popham, CEO of Sunseeker International, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the Rt Hon John Hayes MP to the Sunseeker stand to show him our range of locally built luxury motor yachts. This was a very important visit to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead for the British leisure marine industry and we look forward to working with him closely over the coming years."

Mathew Hornsby, Sales Director at Williams Jet Tenders, added: "'Williams Jet Tenders, along with our fellow British boatbuilders, welcome the visit of the Minister for Transport, John Hayes, to the Southampton Boat Show today. Williams, together with other leading UK boatbuilders, is a business which operates globally in the high end luxury sector, exporting over ninety percent of our total production. To be effective we are acutely reliant on our ability to trade freely with other countries in a favourable and stable economic environment. To this end, our industry needs to be aligned with other manufacturing sectors to ensure Brexit trade negotiations are conducted swiftly and in a way which enhances our ability to access overseas markets."

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