Chaired by former maritime minister Robert Courts MP, the group provides a focal point for parliamentarians to discuss key shipping issues and take collective action to promote policies to ensure shipping continues to be at the heart of UK prosperity. 

The Chamber’s Director of Policy, Peter Aylott, highlighted the following priorities:

• The importance of agreeing on an international target of net zero by 2050 at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for decarbonisation. 
• That the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan must consider international and regional measures put in place to calculate carbon emissions to ensure this is done accurately. 
• Continuing to work to improve the welfare of seafarers on board vessels. Peter also highlighted the significant strides made in recent years, including on important issues such as connectivity. 
• Working together to maintain access to finance to replace older vessels working in the oil and gas industry in the North Sea to reduce carbon emissions.

Speaking after the event, the Chamber’s Director of Communications, Tom Bartošák-Harlow, who also attended the event, said:

“Shipping faces a crucial few months as essential decisions are taken internationally and domestically on the industry’s decarbonisation pathway. This event was a significant opportunity for the Chamber to highlight to parliamentarians the actions they can take to help ensure that this pathway is sustainable and measured accurately.

“Seafarer welfare remains at the heart of the Chamber’s work, be it through our work with unions and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on important issues such as mental health or our annual safety culture conference that brings together senior leaders to discuss how we can collectively improve safety.

“The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with the APPG for Maritime and Ports to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for the shipping industry in the UK.”