14
Apr 22

Weekly Bulletin: Happy Easter

As we head towards a well-deserved long weekend and celebrate Easter, this week we were pleased to confirm V.Group as Gold Sponsor for our Annual Summer Lunch on Tuesday 14th June in Edinburgh. We are delighted that Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport will deliver the Keynote speech at what is always a key date in the maritime calendar. To reserve your tickets please follow the link here – or please contact Tony Jerome for details of how to sponsor the event.

The next event to look forward to will be the British Tugowners Association's Conference and Dinner on Wednesday 11 May, in Hampshire.  The Conference will be horizon scanning the future of towage and port ecosystem and is very pleased to welcome the Maritime Minister Robert Courts MP, and the MCA's CEO Brian Johnson as speakers, along with our new President, Graham Westgarth. The Conference and Dinner provide an ideal time for delegates to meet, exchange ideas and network, and registration for all is available here.

The Secretary of State recently outlined nine measures which are intended to apply to regular and scheduled ferry services operating internationally from the United Kingdom.  Some of these measures will require primary legislation and for procedural purposes they will be announced in the Queen’s speech on 12 May.  Clearly the mandatory consultation process will be short and as soon as the Government releases the detail of the proposed legislation we will share it.  We intend to hold a Ferry Operations Group meeting with DfT officials on Tuesday 26 April to discuss the practical application of the proposals and to provide a forum for Q and A. If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Wright.

Maritime UK is hosting a webinar to introduce the Department for International Trade’s new Maritime Capability Campaign Office as part of the refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy. The MCCO will act as the trade and investment arm of the National Shipbuilding Office, responsible for driving investments and export opportunities for the maritime sector and leveraging our strengths in technology, defence, design and manufacturing and professional services. Details of the webinar are available here.

Finally, this Easter our thoughts remain with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and especially our seafarers. We have been working closely with the Home Office and Border Force to make provisions for Ukrainian seafarers to enjoy some seasonal shore leave.

Best wishes,

Sarah