21
Nov 25

Showcasing Maritime sustainability with the Transport Select Committee

This week the UK Chamber of Shipping hosted members of the Transport Select Committee aboard the MSC Virtuosa in Southampton to highlight the role of shipping in driving sustainable growth and driving the green transition around the UK. The visit organised by the UK Chamber and CLIA, in partnership with MSC Cruises and ABP Southampton, provided a timely opportunity for parliamentarians to gain deeper insight into the industry’s priorities and challenges.

The Parliamentarians, including Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury MP, toured the port to see firsthand their role as multimodal hubs and the port-side infrastructure supporting decarbonisation, such as the terminal’s onshore power supply (OPS) facility, which highlights the importance of shore-side electricity in reducing emissions. On board the MSC Virtuosa, the Parliamentarians then joined industry representatives from the cruise and ferry sector to discuss efforts to decarbonise, future fuel infrastructure needs, and the role of shipping and cruise in driving economic growth.

The industry representatives then emphasised the sector’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050, investment in innovative technologies, and the urgent need for government clarity on the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), scheduled for July 2026. The MPs were also able to tour the ship visiting the engine control room, wastewater treatment facilities, and the bridge, showcasing the ship’s advanced sustainability measures, alongside meeting with UK Cadets training with MSC.

The visit came just a week after the Committee published its report on the National Policy Statement for Ports (NPSP). The Committee’s findings align with the UK Chamber’s submission, highlighting our calls for ports to be granted Critical National Priority status, the need to place greater emphasis on modal shift and reaffirmed the need for planning frameworks to better integrate energy grid connections to support for decarbonisation infrastructure, including OPS.

Our thanks go to MSC for hosting the visit and to industry colleagues for their support and contributions to the discussions.

You can read our full comment on the NPSP here and for more information on the visit please contact Stef Kenyon.