As Mayor Rotheram leads a high-level economic and culture trade mission to Hamburg, he explains the aims and goals of forging closer ties with major European cities.

“When I was a kid, one of the reasons I had heard of Hamburg was as a Beatles fan, and because Kevin Keegan had broken my heart by agreeing to transfer to their football club.

However, Liverpool City Region’s identity is deeply intertwined with its maritime heritage. 

From its historic docks to its global trading networks, the city region has long been shaped by its relationship with the sea. 

Being invited to be the official partner of Hamburg’s internationally renowned maritime festival – the Hafengeburtstag – represents a powerful opportunity to celebrate that legacy while delivering real economic, cultural, and reputational benefits for the future. 

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram

Of course, the bilateral relations between Germany and the UK span hundreds of years and since the end of the second world war we have been united again. This relationship has been further strengthened by the post-Brexit Kensington Treaty, which was signed last July. And I’m delighted we are building on this platform at a city region level. 

At its core, the partnership with Hamburg reinforces Liverpool’s status as a global maritime city. Hamburg, like Liverpool, is one of Europe’s most significant port hubs, with a proud history of trade, shipping, and waterfront regeneration. 

By aligning with such a prestigious international event, Liverpool City Region signals its ambition to operate confidently on the world stage. This visibility plays a crucial role in attracting inward investment, particularly in logistics, advanced manufacturing, and maritime services, while reinforcing the message that Liverpool is a city region looking outward and forward.  

Central to the visit is the high-level delegation we are taking to Hamburg. This delegation brings together key businesses, academic institutions and cultural organisations from across the region, presenting a united and compelling offer to international partners. 

Their mission is not only to promote the best of the Liverpool City Region, but to actively build lasting relationships and develop collaborations with counterparts in Hamburg.  

By showcasing strengths across innovation, education, culture and industry, the delegation demonstrates the depth and diversity of opportunity within the city region, and its readiness to engage globally. 

The Liverpool City Region life sciences delegation visiting Hamburg’s Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine on Mat 7, 2026

The maritime festival also creates a valuable platform for international collaboration. Events of this scale bring together cities, companies, and thought leaders from across the world, making them ideal environments for knowledge sharing and partnership building. Engagement with Hamburg opens doors to collaboration on port innovation, sustainability, decarbonisation and trade, ensuring the region continues to build strong international connections and unlock new opportunities. 

Tourism is another major area of benefit. Maritime festivals attract hundreds of thousands of visitors, alongside global media attention. As an official partner, Liverpool City Region gains access to this international audience, raising awareness of its own waterfront, cultural attractions and events. There is clear potential for reciprocal tourism, with visitors inspired to experience Liverpool’s iconic skyline, historic assets, and vibrant hospitality scene, further boosting our already burgeoning £6.27bn visitor economy.  

Of course, it would be impossible to talk about the relationship between our regions without mentioning music. One standout opportunity within the festival is the chance to showcase our world-renowned music scene to an audience of hundreds of thousands of people.  

Music is at the heart of the Liverpool City Region’s global identity – from The Beatles to today’s thriving up-and-coming artists – and Hamburg itself holds a special place in that story. Promoting local talent on such a prominent international platform means we can not only celebrate our heritage, but introduce new audiences to our creative future. 

This cultural connection is further strengthened through Liverpool City Region’s presence in Hamburg’s City Hall, where we are honoured to stage a special exhibition celebrating the deep and historic ties between our two regions.  

The exhibition highlights shared maritime heritage, cultural exchange, and the enduring relationship between Liverpool and Hamburg. In particular, we are grateful to all those who contributed rare letters, photographs, and memorabilia that bring to life the Beatles’ Hamburg story – an important chapter in the global cultural bond between our cities. Their contributions have helped create a powerful and authentic showcase of this shared history. And we hope to bring this unique exhibition back to the City Region this summer. So watch this space…. 

Alongside its cultural and economic benefits, the partnership also supports Liverpool City Region’s ambitions in innovation and high-growth sectors. During the visit, I’ll be signing a Memorandum of Understanding on artificial intelligence with Hamburg’s Artificial Intelligence Centre. This landmark agreement reflects a forward-looking vision that builds on traditional strengths while embracing emerging technologies. 

Liverpool City Region’s AI and deep tech delegation in Hamburg on May 7, 2026

Liverpool recently placed third in the European Capital of Innovation, and this AI MOU will create a platform to forge new opportunities and partnerships to further boost the city region’s blossoming deep tech sector. By connecting Liverpool’s growing ecosystem of innovators, researchers, and digital businesses with one of Europe’s leading AI centres, the agreement will help unlock collaboration in research, commercialisation, skills, and investment, accelerating growth in high-value industries and strengthening the region’s position in the global innovation economy. 

The maritime sector itself remains a key pillar of growth, supported by ongoing investment in port infrastructure, Freeport status, and green energy initiatives such as offshore wind.

Engagement with a leading maritime and innovation hub like Hamburg allows Liverpool to position itself at the forefront of discussions around the future of shipping, smart port technology and decarbonisation, enhanced by the integration of AI and digital solutions. 

Ultimately, this partnership is about more than presence at an event. It is about positioning Liverpool City Region as a place that honours its past while actively shaping its future. By combining maritime heritage, cultural strength and innovation ambition, the region is making a clear statement: it is open, connected, and ready to lead on the global stage. 

Oh, and that footballer who broke my heart in 1977, he sends a message to the club he left LFC to join “Ich liebe dich, Hamburg” ( “I love you, Hamburg”.) “