Cities long known for their Beatles connections now plan to work together in areas from logistics to green tech
Hamburg in Northern Germany(Image: Getty)
Liverpool City Region has signed a new agreement with Hamburg to boost ties in areas including logistics, maritime trade and green technology.
The two port cities are well-known for their shared Beatles connections, with the band playing hundreds of gigs in the city in the early 1960s. A new drama based on the Beatles’ Hamburg days has already started production.
Now Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, and Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr Peter Tschentscher, have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) to plan deeper academic, cultural and economic cooperation. It follows last year’s signing of the Kensington Treaty to strengthen British-German relations.
The cities will plan deeper academic, cultural and economic cooperation in areas from logistics and maritime transformation to digitalisation and climate adaptation, and will also plan further tourism and trade links.
Steve Rotheram, said: ” Liverpool and Hamburg are proud port regions with a shared maritime and cultural history and a shared determination to shape the future. This Joint Declaration of Intent turns our common heritage into practical collaboration that will improve the future of our citizens, businesses and the environment.
“Both regions know what it means to reinvent ourselves, moving from traditional industry to innovation-led growth. By working together on green shipping, digitalisation and artificial intelligence, we will exchange expertise, attract investment and support high-quality jobs on both sides of the North Sea.
“This post-Brexit agreement builds on the newly-ratified Kensington Treaty between our two nations by strengthening cooperation at a city region level to improve sustainability, innovation and mutual long-term prosperity.
“We’ve been developing our relationship with Hamburg for some years now and I’m thrilled we are adding a new chapter to this story and laying the foundations for an even stronger relationship in the years ahead.”
Hamburg’s First Mayor, Dr. Peter Tschentscher, said: “Hamburg and Liverpool are linked by a long maritime tradition that has shaped our economy, culture, and the mindset of our citizens. Both cities are diverse, outward-looking, and internationally connected. They honour their traditions while, as modern metropolises, simultaneously focusing on innovation and progress.
“With the Joint Declaration of Intent, we aim to provide our partnership with a framework featuring clear structures and defined areas of focus. These include cooperation and joint projects in the fields of green shipping, life sciences, artificial intelligence, and innovative urban development.”
Andrew Mitchell CMG, British Ambassador to Germany said: “The newly‑ratified Kensington Treaty sets an ambitious framework for closer UK–Germany cooperation – and the partnership between Hamburg and Liverpool is a great example of that cooperation being turned into practical action.
“This Joint Declaration of Intent builds on deep historic ties and channels them into collaboration on shared priorities: from maritime transformation and green shipping to digitalisation, AI, innovation and climate adaptation.
“My warm congratulations to Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher and Mayor Steve Rotheram on this important step, which strengthens links between our communities and supports long‑term prosperity on both sides of the North Sea.”
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