ACL becomes a two-time winner at the 2024 Mersey Maritime Industry Awards

Atlantic Container Line (ACL) has received the Employer and Future Skills Award and the Rising Star Award at the 2024 Mersey Maritime Industry Awards, one of the most significant events in the UK’s maritime calendar. Hosted by journalist and TV personality Lucy Meacock, the ceremony took place at Liverpool Cathedral on 25 October. Over 450 distinguished guests from across the United Kingdom and beyond came together to recognize exceptional achievements and innovations in the maritime industry in the Liverpool City Region. 

Twelve award categories across the maritime sector were involved in a rigorous judging process. This included expert assessment and an industry-wide vote with a record-breaking 3,000 votes cast. 

The Employer and Future Skills Award was sponsored by the University of Liverpool and recognized ACL’s Apprenticeship. This program has been in operation for over ten years.  It has seen nineteen people achieve a National Vocation Qualification, including extensive experience in the shipping and logistics industry. Of those nineteen apprentices, ten remain employed at Grimaldi Liverpool Agency, which manages the UK Commercial Operations for ACL’s North American service and the Grimaldi Lines services to West Africa, South America, the Mediterranean, Asia and Oceania.

The Rising Star Award, sponsored by the Royal Navy, was presented to Kieren Davis, Assistant Terminal Manager for ACL’s fleet at Liverpool’s Royal Seaforth Container Terminal. Kieren joined ACL six years ago as a young apprentice and is the youngest Assistant Terminal Manager that ACL has ever had in this position. He has been integral to the development of several of the company’s high-profile contracts, ensuring that there was strict adherence to Total Quality Management Requirements.

Mersey Maritime is the regional cluster organization for the maritime industry and wider supply chain in the Liverpool City Region and UK’s greater North West. Its mission is to be a catalyst for growth, influencing policy and driving change for the good of the sector.

The Mersey Maritime Industry Awards celebrate the hard work, strength and diversity of the UK North West’s shipping industry. The maritime industry makes a huge contribution to the prosperity of this region, which is worth over £5 billion to the Liverpool City Region’s economy alone and supports over 50,000 jobs. The Awards recognize the world-class standards on display and highlight Liverpool City as a global maritime centre of excellence. 

ACL is a member of Mersey Maritime and has a long-term legacy within the Liverpool City region.  In conjunction with the Grimaldi Group, the company is committed to the continuation of being an employer of choice within the maritime industry.