More than 100 businesspeople, charities and local politicians came together in Essex as a trust port hosted its first ever Stakeholder Summer Drinks Reception.

Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) hosted the inaugural event in a marquee on the Green in Harwich on Thursday, September 24, bringing together top minds from across the Essex and Suffolk maritime and wider logistics spheres, alongside representatives from local community groups and councils.

The event marked World Maritime Day, highlighting the critical importance the sector plays to economies, and served as an opportunity to premier a new video on HHA’s role in enabling the UK’s international trade.

Helen Rudd, Sustainability and Partnerships Director at HHA, said:

“It was fantastic to welcome so many people to Harwich as we celebrated the important role the maritime industry plays in our daily lives.

“The Haven is vital to the UK’s prosperity and our role as its guardian would not be possible were it not for the wider chain of businesses and organisations championing British maritime.

“Our Stakeholder Summer Drinks Reception was a celebration of each and every one of them while helping us introduce others in our local community to the role we play here at HHA.

“A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for such a lovely evening.

“We’re also incredibly grateful for the lovely weather, with the clear blue skies making for a perfect backdrop for us all to wave goodbye to summer.”

Aside from the video premiere, guests were also treated to canapes and fizz. A raffle was also hosted to raise money for HHA’s charity of the year, CVS Tendring.

The raffle, alongside sales of honey produced atop HHA’scorporate office, Harbour House, raised an impressive £550 for the charity.