Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani has today (16 January 2020) hailed the Port of Blyth as one of the leading lights in the British maritime industry's push for a greener, cleaner future.
Visiting the port, the minister saw first-hand the green revolution taking place on the site, which is developing into one of the UK's leading offshore energy hubs. It is an example of the growing clean, green offshore wind revolution that is powering homes and businesses across the UK, bringing investment into coastal communities and ensuring we maintain our position as global leaders in this growing sector.
The port also showcased its world-leading offshore renewable energy research and testing facilities, which could play a key part in helping the government achieve the goals set out in its Maritime 2050 strategy.
Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani said:
I am delighted to have made my first visit to the Port of Blyth today.
The maritime industry is at the heart of the UK's economy. The Port of Blyth is not only one of our key ports as a global trading nation, but also a fantastic example of the thriving offshore wind sector that is boosting renewable energy across the UK.
Our Clean maritime plan outlines an ambitious vision for the maritime industry and I was delighted to meet some of the port's brilliant staff to see the wider work being done to reduce emissions, improve air quality and tackle climate change.
The government's Maritime 2050 strategy sets out a high-level vision for the sector's future, outlining the UK's goal to remain a global leader in maritime.
At the heart of the strategy is a focus on precisely the sort of clean growth and transition to zero emission industry, business and operations that the Port of Blyth is focusing on.
Maritime 2050 also makes clear the need to transform and grow the UK's maritime workforce, and the Maritime Minister learned what the port has been doing to attract people into key STEM roles.
