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Kong. All three cities have large port maritime activities on the tidal Thames

facilities and support comprehensive generate £4bn gross value added

maritime business service sectors. (GVA) a year, and some £1bn of new

Shanghai has moved up to sixth place, investment is planned in the sector.

overtaking Dubai. Tokyo has dropped

out of the top ten with Athens taking

its place at number ten.LR Foundation warns of

‘blind faith in technology’

New reports highlight

economic importance and
D
ata-centric engineering and
amenity value of River
technology have the potential
Thames
to enhance safety at sea but

could also diminish the role of seafarers

and lead to a loss of skills, Professor
T
he vital role that the River Richard Clegg, Managing Director of

Thames plays in the economy, the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, told

the movement of freight and delegates at the Britain and the Sea

the transport of passengers as well as conference held at the Royal Society

contributing to the wellbeing of the of Arts.

capital’s residents, has been made clear Discussing education, research

in two new reports launched by the and development at the conference,

Port of London Authority (PLA) during organised during LISW by the

London International Shipping Week.Maritime Foundation in cooperation

According to PLA Chief Executive with Plymouth University, Prof Clegg

Robin Mortimer, the tidal Thames and highlighted robotics and autonomous

the Port of London generate 43,500 systems, advanced materials and

full-time equivalent jobs, of which nanotechnology, big data, 3D

27,000 are people directly employed printing and the Internet of Things as

in port-related operations, with the transformational technologies in the

remainder in the associated supply marine sector.

chain and support activities. Port and

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