News

This first edition of Safety Matters brings together insights from recent working group activity, emerging themes from MAIB investigations, and reflections from the Safety Culture Conference 2026. Across all of these, a consistent message is beginning to take shape: the challenge is not a lack of rules, but how those rules are applied in practice.

New report brings together expertise from across shipping, ports, fuel suppliers, academia and regulators to support the safe transition to net zero

The decisions that shape shipping's future are often made years before new technologies reach commercial deployment. Through its Futures Forum, the UK Chamber is examining the trends and innovations most likely to influence the sector over the coming decades. In this Horizon Scan, Robert Merrylees, Policy Director at the UK Chamber, explores one such area of growing interest: the potential role of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in maritime applications and the foundations that would be required to support their safe adoption.

The formation of Andy Burnham’s first government has created a new political landscape for the UK shipping industry to navigate. In his latest blog, our Public Affairs Manager, Harry Brown looks at what changes across transport, trade, energy, industrial strategy, security and regional growth might mean for Chamber members and our engagement.

The UK-India Free Trade Agreement entered into force on 15 July, marking a major milestone in one of the world's most important trading relationships. According to UK Government reports, total trade between the UK and India was worth £48 billion in 2025, and the agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion in the long term. It will also see 99% of Indian goods entering the UK and 90% of UK goods entering India either become duty-free or benefit from reduced tariffs.

Safe and efficient navigation through the English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea depends on thorough preparation. With some of the highest traffic densities in global shipping, bridge teams must contend with complex routing arrangements, crossing traffic, ferry operations, fishing activity and changing environmental conditions, often within limited sea room.

The UK Chamber has written to the UK Government to express serious concerns about reported proposals to impose tolls or transit charges on commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Westminster is entering a new political chapter as Andy Burnham prepares to become Labour Leader and, in turn, the UK’s next Prime Minister, with a major Cabinet reshuffle expected to follow. The Chamber is closely monitoring potential changes across government.

The UK Chamber of Shipping is concerned by the latest disruption to commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, which poses serious risks to seafarers and to the stability of global trade.