LIVERPOOL is to become the headquarters of the world’s biggest container line.
Maersk Line UK & Ireland is relocating its London head office to the city in the next few months.
The management team will move north and other employees are being offered relocation.
To encourage key staff members and their families to move to Merseyside it is understood The Mersey Partnership (TMP) will be offering support in finding the best schools and desirable areas to live.
In all, 50 or more extra posts will be moved or created at the company’s offices in The Plaza where 110 staff are already employed.
Executive team spokesman Ben Platt said numbers were unclear yet but added: “We will be recruiting in Liverpool and will build on a long established relationship with the city.”
Maersk employs more than 20,000 people worldwide and has a fleet of more than 500 container ships. It also owns Norfolkline which operates ferry services to Dublin and Belfast from Birkenhead. TMP have been in talks with the company for around three years and hailed the move to the city as a major step forward.
Lorraine Rogers, TMP chief executive, said: “This is a very significant win for Liverpool City Region. In the prevailing economic conditions operating costs are critical to every firm and as Maersk have seen there is a distinct business advantage to be gained by locating in Liverpool. We are delighted that they have chosen to make Liverpool their UK headquarters, and will continue to work with them to further facilitate their move.”
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of NWDA said: “This is excellent news for Liverpool City Region and the north west. Foreign direct investment is extremely valuable to our economy. Bringing a world famous shipping HQ to Liverpool shows just how far the city has come in recent years.”
Maersk is part of the giant AP Moller-Maersk group and is quoted on the Copenhagen stock exchange.
It currently has a customer contact centre in Old Hall Street with space to increase the numbers of staff.
Maersk Line UK & Ireland managing director, Doug Bannister said: “The welcome we have received from Liverpool and its City Region partners has been inspiring. It is an exciting opportunity for our business as well as the local community and we are looking forward to establishing our head office in Liverpool particularly given the city’s long maritime history.” (source: www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk).
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