Ninety Five per cent of the UK's international trade arrives or leaves by sea. The Government seeks to ensure that the UK shipping industry remains a major player globally.

Within the European Maritime State Aid Guidelines, the Government provides support to the industry, with the aim of maintaining and increasing the seafaring skills base. The Government meets roughly up to half of the training costs through the Support for Maritime Training scheme, and requires companies who enter into the Tonnage Tax regime to train a certain number of officer trainees. The Government also supports the industry through the Seafarer Earnings Deduction tax relief scheme for certain seafarers and the Crew Relief Costs Scheme.