The Port of Liverpool, which lies at the hub of the largest maritime sector outside London, is handling more cargo than ever. More than £300m of private sector investment has gone into the port over the past few years and there are plans for another £150m ($274m) over the next five years.

Mersey Maritime, which represents a range of maritime-related companies, from port and shipping operations to high-tech systems suppliers and specialist professional services, calculates that there are more than 1,000 companies involved in Liverpool’s maritime sector, with 26,000 employees and turnover of £2.5bn a year.