MEPC

The COP26 climate negotiations ended last week, but for the shipping industry next week’s meeting at the International Maritime Organisation will be just as important.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee, or MEPC, will be held in London and member states from around the world will negotiate all week on a range of environmental issues. Off the back of COP26, there is huge momentum to push for real game-changing targets and measures. We have seen what can be achieved when the world comes together, but also the difficulties of reaching lasting agreements.

We hope the delegates at the IMO will use the momentum of COP26 to push for a net-zero target by 2050 to align shipping with the Paris Treaty, and reach an agreement to pursue MBMs, or a basket of measures, to achieve this target.

Here in the UK, both the UK government and the UK Chamber of Shipping have been clear that international shipping must decarbonise by 2050 and we call upon the IMO to help deliver this. But we must also realise that the IMO is the collective will of its 174 member states, any failure at the IMO is a failure of international diplomacy. It is vital that the IMO now use the momentum of COP26 to deliver real change for our industry.

Remembrance Sunday

On Remembrance Sunday I attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Trinity House where I joined representatives from right across the maritime sector in laying a wreath in memory of those who gave their lives at sea and shall never be forgotten. We remember those who are no longer with us and continue to thank all of those who serve to protect our freedoms.

Lord Mayor of London

I was honoured to join the Baltic Exchange lunch on Wednesday for the new Lord Mayor of London. Both our President John Denholm and I attended, as part of a long tradition of the Shipping industry welcoming each new Lord Mayor with a lunch as one of their first engagements, to underline the importance of the maritime sector to London and vice versa.

SSBA Dinner

Next week I will be in Glasgow for the Scottish Shipping Benevolent Association annual dinner. The SSBA is the only charity focused specifically at people who have worked in a shore-side maritime role within Scotland and they do great work assisting people who have, at some point in their lives, been unable to support themselves or their families. I am very much looking forward to the evening and meeting some of our key stakeholders in Scotland. If you are at the dinner, please do come and say hi.

Annual Dinner

This week we were delighted announce Jotun and MLA College as our first two Bronze sponsors for our Annual Dinner taking place in February next year. We are incredibly thankful for their support and we will be announcing further sponsors in the coming weeks.

If you haven’t booked your ticket or table yet, please do get in touch with Donna Stevens who will be able to assist.

Sarah