The event on July 1, co-hosted by the General Lighthouse Authority, Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board, with support from the Department for Transport (DfT), brought together royalty, senior representatives from the UK Government, international institutions, the wider maritime industry, as well as academia, for presentations and panel discussions on “The Future Seascape, Maritime Resilience and Security” and “Physical Aids to Navigation Services in a digital world”.

In the midst of a challenging and unstable global geo-political environment, the day recognised the vital role  of the shipping industry in enabling the global economy; the crucial importance of seafarers globally as they operating and maintaining their vessels; and how developments to Aids to Navigation, whether physical or virtual, were improving safety, enhancing resilience.

Aids to Navigation are critical national infrastructure, and should be thought of as so. Whether being used by a Very Large Crude Carrier or a paddleboarder, need to be accessible for all users, whether as marking safe water or providing a test platform for water temperature and wave height.

The event also included an Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between IALA’s World-Wide Academy, through which it delivers education, training and capacity building, the DfT, Trinity House and the Northern Lighthouse Board, at which the DfT announced sponsorship of the Academy, Trinity House’s Accredited Training Organisation status was recognised and the provision of tutors by the Northern Lighthouse Board were offered.

Additionally on July 1, another crucial marine safety service was also celebrated. The Met Office formally marked 100 years of collaboration with the Shipping Forecast at the International Maritime Organization, with the event looking ahead to how technology and innovation can shape the future evolution of the service and wider maritime safety information delivery.

The UK Chamber also congratulates the two winners of The Purcell School for Young Musicians nationwide competition in collaboration with the Met Office, 'New Sailing Sounds'. The winning compositions were inspired by the Shipping Forecast and were so beautifully played during the evening’s festivities.

The Shipping Forecast’s official birthday is being celebrated from July 4 across the BBC – more information can be found here.