Welcome to this week’s Bulletin. 

On Tuesday, our team and the British Ports Association headed to Edinburgh for the Chamber’s annual reception in Holyrood. The event centred around decarbonisation and delivering a “Green Future for Scottish Shipping and Ports”. This was an opportunity to engage with MSPs on this very important matter, asking for their support. 
 

This week, we celebrated the Merchant Navy Training Board’s 80th anniversary, at the Shard, with a drinks and canapes reception. Around 50 guests were in attendance including representatives from DfT, Nautilus, RMT and many more, continue to read below for full details of the event. 

What's On

Chamber speaks to MSPs on a pathway to green shipping

This week the Chamber held, alongside the British Ports Association, its annual reception in Holyrood. The theme of this year’s event was how we can deliver a green future for Scottish shipping and ports and saw the launch of a joint vision on how the Scottish Government can aid in delivering green shipping and ports.

The event was attended by over 100 representatives from the shipping and ports sector as well as a range of MSPs from across Scotland, including the event sponsor Liam McCarthur, MSP for Orkney and the Minister for Business, Trade and Tourism Ivan McKee. Our publication partner Witherbys were also in attendance showcasing their latest publications.

Commenting on the event the Chamber’s Communications Director Tom Bartošák-Harlow said:

“It was great to take the shipping sector’s key messages on decarbonisation to MSPs from across Scotland. Scotland is uniquely placed to be a global leader in the drive towards net zero and ensuring we have the skills and infrastructure in place to deliver a green shipping sector to help maximise these opportunities is vital.

“Thank you to all those who attended the event to make it such a success.” 

You can view pictures and read more about the event on our website page.

MNTB’s 80th Anniversary Drinks Reception

On Wednesday, Mark Bobby, Chair of the Merchant Navy Training Board, hosted the MNTB’s 80-year celebration at The Shard, London. In attendance were representatives from the Maritime Coastguard Agency, DfT, Nautilus, and RMT as well as various ship owners, maritime training colleges and cadet training management companies. 

This evening was a chance to reflect on the importance that the MNTB plays in ensuring that we have a skilled workforce ready for the challenges of the future and that we attract future generations into the maritime industry.

The Chamber would like to thank our guests for attending, we hope that you had a great time. We’d also like to again thank our sponsors Clyde Marine Recruitment, Chiltern Maritime and Gardline for contributing to the success of our event.

If you are interested in sponsoring future MNTB events, please contact Susan Bell.

Stella Maris Charity Partner for the Annual Dinner 2023

We are delighted to announce that this year’s Annual Dinner Charity is Stella Maris, chosen by our President Graham Westgarth. The event is set to take place on Monday 6 February 2023, at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, in London. Annual Dinner tickets can now be purchased.

One of seven Chamber charity members, Stella Maris is the largest ship-visiting charity in the world.  It is a global network of over 1,000 chaplains and volunteers in 330+ ports spread across 59 countries. Each year this remarkable team conducts around 70,000 ship visits to provide welfare services, advice, friendship, practical and pastoral care to all seafarers, regardless of nationality, belief or race.

Commenting on the announcement CEO of Stella Maris Martin Foley said: 

"As the world's largest ship-visiting charity we are delighted to be nominated as Charity of the UKCOS Annual Dinner 2023.  It shines a spotlight on our 1,000 chaplains and ship visitors who work tirelessly throughout the year to support the welfare and wellbeing of the world's seafarers on whom we all rely".

Guests are kindly asked to bring some cash to donate to this wonderful charity on the night.

You can also already donate by texting SEA10 to 70560 to donate £10, SEA20 to 70560 to donate £20 or SEA plus your amount to 70560. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message line.
 

Latest member updates

Chamber members are reminded that they have exclusive access to a range of updates from the Chamber’s policy experts on a wide spectrum of issues. The latest updates this week include:

• Joint ILO–IMO Tripartite Working Group: Guidelines for Port States & Flag States on dealing with Abandonment Cases
• Ferry and Cruise Panel Agenda - 8 December 2022
• IMO Maritime Safety Committee - ICS Report of 106th Session
• UK Hydrographic Office Withdrawal of Paper Charts - Meeting Invitation

Upcoming events

Annual Dinner 2023

Our Annual Dinner 2023 will take place on Monday 6 February. The event will be held at the iconic 5-star hotel, JW Marriott Grosvenor House located on Park Lane in the heart of Mayfair. This is a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues and celebrate recent milestones. 

Last year, this event attracted around 800 influential guests from across the maritime industry. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased through the Chamber website.

The dinner is kindly sponsored by Northern Marine (Gold Sponsor), V. Group (President's Reception), Denholm, UK Ship Register and Lloyd’s Register (Silver Sponsors).

Have a nice and restful weekend,

Sarah