Last Friday, the Chamber hosted a port tour and round table in Southampton for the Maritime Minister, Baroness Vere. This was an excellent opportunity for the Minister to see at first hand the variety of shipping sectors, and understand more about industry challenges and opportunities in respect of people, investment and decarbonisation. Thanks to Williams Shipping for the use of their launch, and to all the round table participants.

We also welcomed the publication of the Transport Select Committee’s report on Maritime 2050, and saw the announcement of three new UK freeports; the Milford Haven and Port Talbot, Anglesey Freeport, and the Thames Freeport.

Finally, we have been putting the finishing touches to plans for our AGM and Members’ networking event next Tuesday, 28th March at Trinity House and look forward to seeing many of you there.

What's new

Chamber welcomes Transport Select Committee Report on Maritime 2050

The Transport Select Committee has published its report following its inquiry into Maritime 2050.

Maritime 2050 sets out the government’s vision and ambitions for the future of the British maritime sector. The Committee heard evidence from a range of witnesses and has made several recommendations, including; the Government to bring forward the revised Clean Maritime Plan without delay; the need for long-term public investment to help the sector decarbonise; a Department for Transport led the review for training funding in the maritime industry to establish if there are barriers to access and how the system can be improved.

To read the Chamber's reaction to the report, visit our news page. 

Maritime Minister Visits Port of Southampton

Maritime Minister Baroness Vere was in Southampton on Friday, 17 March, for a port tour hosted by the UK Chamber of Shipping.

This was a fantastic opportunity to show the Minister how much the shipping industry contributes to the UK economy. The tour was followed by a roundtable of Chamber members and port stakeholders to explore how the Government and we can work together to meet challenges and industry demands, such as net zero targets and new skills.

You can read the Chamber's Director of Communications Tom Bartošák-Harlow comments on the news page of our website.

New Summer Lunch Sponsor

The Chamber is pleased to announce that Witherbys has become the new bronze sponsor of our Summer Lunch, held in Edinburgh on 13 June.

Commenting on the sponsorship Witherbys Chairman David Balston said:

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the UK Chamber of Shipping by sponsoring this year’s Summer Lunch.  It is an event we look forward to each year to celebrate shipping and to catch up with friends and colleagues from across the Scottish maritime industry.”

More information regarding the event and tickets is available under our event section below.

Inaugural Domestic Ferry Safety Indicator Steering Group

On Tuesday, the Domestic Ferry Safety Indicator steering group met at Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) Ferries offices in Gourock, Scotland.

The Domestic Ferry Safety Indicator (DFSI) is a monthly statistical benchmarking tool where safety data is shared in a safe, secure and anonymised way for UK domestic ferry operators to learn from one another to enhance the collective safety culture.

This meeting marked the culmination of a year’s pilot project of a collaborative effort among domestic ferry company members of the Chamber to work proactively and openly to improve safety performance for passengers and crew.

To know more about this meeting, visit our news page. Any Chamber Member interested in joining this group can contact William Rann. 

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:

• March 2023: BIMCO Documentary Committee Draft: ETSA Clause for SHIPMAN
• BIMCO Documentary Committee Draft: CII Clause for Voyage Charter Parties
• Offshore Panel - 23 March 2023 - Agenda & Annexes
• Review of Draft Revised Biofouling Guidelines and Request for Feedback
• DfT/BIT Information Sheet: Understanding Seafarer Roster Patterns and Fatigue

Upcoming Events

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

All members of the UK Chamber of Shipping are welcome to attend AGM and Networking Drinks on Tuesday 28th March.

The UK Chamber of Shipping AGM and drinks reception will be held this year at Trinity House London, from 17.00 - 19.30 on Tuesday 28th March.

MEMBER REGISTRATION
 

Follow-Up Workshop on Shore Power for the UK Port and Shipping Industry

Join us on March 30 at 4 pm for a follow-up session on the use of maritime shore power in the UK, in partnership with BPA and UKMPG.

This online workshop will bring together key players from the port and shipping sector to continue the discussion on shared challenges and opportunities, and will explore ways to turn the outputs of our February 08 workshop into actionable items that can be implemented for the successful deployment of shore power in the UK.

MEMBER REGISTRATION

Summer Lunch

Our summer lunch is set to take place on Tuesday 13 June 2023, in a brand new venue, the Signet Library, in Edinburgh. More information will be available on our event page. In the meantime, please save the date.

BOOK TICKET
 

BTA AGM, Conference and Dinner

The British Tugowners Association is delighted to announce the Annual General Meeting, Conference and Dinner 2023 will take place at the Clayton Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday 17 May. The AGM, Conference and Dinner provide an ideal time for delegates to meet, exchange ideas and network. 
 

The BTA’s Annual Golf Competition, the Sir William Crosthwaite Cup, will take place the afternoon before, on Tuesday 16 May at Ralston Golf Club overlooking the City.

BOOK TICKET

Harbour Towage Panel

Please save the date for the next Harbour Towage Panel taking place at 10:30 on Wednesday 14 June 2023.

The Panel will be held at Seawork 2023 - the leading European commercial marine exhibition in Southampton running from 13-15 June

 SAVE THE DATE