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“LISW highlights the UK’s central role within
the global maritime industry”
Bob Knight, Chief Operating Oficer, Clarksons Platou Shipbroking
“Ours is not a local business but a global one and so it is important that London is a forum for
and it serves the industry to bring together all those participants when they want to make
leading professionals from all over the world their points.”
to discuss the pertinent themes of the dayIn evidence he gave to the Department for
and forecast for tomorrow. Cooperation and Transport who created the Maritime Growth
knowledge sharing can do nothing but strengthen Study, for which he sits on the Advisory Group,
our industry as a whole. LISW has also achievedhe said it was important that London formed a
a lot in gaining attention for our industry within joint venture with Shanghai.
the wider community, something we are, as an “Shanghai needs the sophistication of
industry, continually reminded that we need to do London but we need to team up with the future
better.r.”world power, particularly in trade,” he said.
Mr Parker was asked to join the Board of “I think Shanghai is more important than
Advisors to ensure the inancial sector was Hong Kong because increasingly policy will be
represented.made in China and Hong Kong will be another
“I am probably one of the longest-serving big port.”
senior shipping bankers left in the world and I He added: “The most important thing we
chair various conferences. I have views and I am have in the European Union is the inancial
happy to share them. I want to see this being a capital of Europe (London) and that was
success and I feel very strongly that London has created on the back of trade.”
to ight for its place and this isSo, on the back of the Maritime Growth
part of it.”Study, will the Government become even more
He added: “It is very important that the involved in LISW15 than it was in LISW13?
Government paper – the Maritime Growth “We all learned from the experience last
Study – is meaningful and gets support from the time,” said DfT’s Ian Woodman.
Government. We attract many ship owners. They “We thought it was a really great idea and
want to be here because this is a good place to the ministers thought it was a really great idea
live and it’s stable and it’s a safe legal system so and everybody was willing to pitch in and I’m
that they can meet their inancial needs here and sure we will do exactly the same this time. We
in other places. London has to preserve that.are looking to maximise the potential.”
“This event can be helpful if it persuades He added: “It is the most wonderful
Government to have consistent policies that opportunity to shout about shipping. We are
are favourable, or at least not unfavourable, expecting major Government participation.”
compared to other European regimes.”Talking of what London can offer to the
To help this, he believes the Shipping shipping industry, TheCityUK’s Mr Torjussen-
Minister should be appointed for their lifetime Proctor said: “My business represents inancial
in Parliament, instead of being replaced every services and professional services so, from that
couple of years or so.perspective, London has always been a centre
Mr Torjussen-Proctor said it was very good to of excellence for banking, insurance services,
see strong ministerial and government support broking services and legal services and I
for LISW15.have every conidence that our membership
Mr Parker added: “The nature of the industry continues to invest in their maritime-focused
is going to get a more powerful voice in lobbyingbusinesses based here in London.” l
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