This week, we have engaged with the Transport Select Committee on two ongoing inquiries as well as the revised Clean Maritime Plan. Meanwhile, the Chamber’s Legal, Insurance & Documentary Committee discussed new regulations on the carbon intensity of international shipping that came into force on 1 January.

We are all looking forward to the Chamber's Annual Dinner on Monday. This year we have a record number of nearly 850 guests, who we can't wait to welcome at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House for what promises to be a spectacular event.

The dinner is an opportunity to raise funds for the President’s chosen charity, Stella Maris. We will be collecting donations during the course of the evening, but if you wish to donate in advance, please see details in the Events section below.

What's new

Chamber meets Chair of Transport Select Committee   

This week, the Chamber’s Director of Communications Tom Bartošák-Harlow met the Chair of the Transport Select Committee Iain Stewart MP. The Transport Select Committee is the committee of MPs that holds the Department for Transport to account on its priorities.

Tom spoke to Iain about the Committee’s ongoing inquiries Fuelling the Future and Maritime 2050, both of which should be completed soon. He also discussed the importance of ensuring that the revised Clean Maritime Plan, due later this year, sets a clear direction on decarbonisation and is delivered as quickly as possible.

The Chamber will continue to engage with the Transport Select Committee throughout the year.

Visit Options for Government Ministers  

The Chamber is seeking to pull together a range of visit options for Government Ministers, whether from DfT or other relevant departments. These visits are an opportunity to show and explain to Ministers, both inside the Department for Transport and in other departments, the work underway in the shipping industry on issues such as decarbonisation, innovation and skills. In order to be successful, visits generally need to focus on showing something new and engaging such as a new vessel, training method or technology. 

Any Chamber member who would be interested in hosting a visit between now and the summer should contact Tom Bartošák-Harlow with further details, including an outline of what the visit could entail.
 

BIMCO CII Operations Clause  

The BIMCO Documentary Committee have adopted the CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator) Operations Clause for Time Charter Parties. 

The Clause is a base from which the parties can begin to agree practical steps towards compliance with CII. Parties are encouraged to consider how it fits in with their respective industry segment, the particular trade, the duration of the time charter party arrangement and the commercial relationship between the parties. In addition to sharing operational efficiency best practice on vessels, the parties also have duties to collect and share quality data on the vessel’s CII performance.

BIMCO have recommended that the parties agree that the Agreed CII value should be the Required CII or better, and have noted that the clause does not act as standalone evidence of compliance with the IMO’s CII regime. Instead, it is to be treated as an operational clause.

Please contact Hannah Gilbert for more information.

Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit 

Our MNTB Director Kathryn Neilson who is part of the ICS Diversity Group has contributed to the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for Shipping.

The toolkit, recently launched by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), aims to inspire change and raise awareness of diversity and inclusion within the maritime sector. 

This practical guidance will support businesses to introduce new policies and embrace a more positive approach to any D&I-related issues, with the objective of boosting business efficiency and improving team performance.

For more information and to order your copy, please visit the ICS website.

Take Part in the ICS Seafarer Video

The International Chamber of Shipping is looking for shipping companies to participate in a video promoting seafaring as a career. The video, available to all Chamber members to use, will launch later this year and is designed to provide shipping companies with a resource to use as part of their recruitment activities to give more information on life at sea.

Any companies interested in finding out more can contact Hannah Patmore at ICS before the middle of February. 

Latest member updates

Chamber members are reminded that they have exclusive access to a range of updates from the Chamber’s policy experts on a wide spectrum of issues. The latest updates this week include:

• 6 February 2023 | Harbour Towage Panel | Agenda, Minutes & Annexes
   

Upcoming Events

Annual Dinner 2023 (bookings have now closed)

To donate to the President’s chosen charity, Stella Maris: Text SEA10 to 70560 to donate £10, SEA20 to 70560 to donate £20 or SEA plus your own amount to 70560. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

The dinner is kindly sponsored by Northern Marine (Gold Sponsor), V. Group (President's Reception), Denholm, UK Ship Register, Lloyd’s Register, ABS, Seapeak (Silver Sponsors) and Witherbys (Programme Sponsor).

Harbour Towage Panel

The Panel will take place on 6 February 2023, at the International Chamber of Shipping and its purpose is to identify issues and develop policies relating to harbour towage operations.

All members with an interest in harbour towage and related matters, including tug operators, class societies, law firms, P&I clubs, port authorities, marine consultants and others are encouraged to attend.

Members are invited to raise any areas for inclusion with the Panel Secretary, Robert Merrylees.

Safety & Environment Committee Panel 

This members-only Committee discusses a wide range of environmental and safety-related matters, including decarbonisation, BWMC, underwater noise, marine plastic litter, ship recycling, safety culture, vehicle deck safety, offshore renewables, navigation and fuel safety.

Members are invited to suggest specific areas for inclusion on the Agenda. This will be a hybrid meeting held at the International Chamber of Shipping offices in London, on 8 February. 

 If you would like more information, please contact Elise Nyborg.

UKCOS & BPA Shore Power Workshop (Bookings closed)

Join the UK Chamber of Shipping & British Ports Association on 8 February to discuss the proposed introduction of shore power in the UK. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute towards a joint position paper.

As the UK government looks to develop shore power as a clean energy solution for shipping, this workshop will bring together experts from across the shipping and port sector to explore the potential benefits and challenges of its adoption. Through a series of interactive discussions, we will delve into considerations surrounding infrastructural capacity, funding, and sector-specific requirements to consider how shore power might be deployed in practice to best support the transition to a low-carbon maritime industry.

Register your place. 

Summer Lunch

Our summer lunch is set to take place on Tuesday 13 June 2023, in a brand new venue, the Signet Library, in Edinburgh. More information will be available on our event page. In the meantime, please save the date.