This week, the Chamber has been busy engaging with Government, including attending a meeting with the Levelling up Minister to discuss how shipping can play its part in the Government’s levelling up agenda, and another meeting with the Shadow Climate Change Minister to discuss key issues such as shore power and grid capacity. 

As one of our most significant events in the annual shipping calendar is nearing, we have been busy putting the finishing touches to arrangements for our Annual Dinner 2023, ready to welcome 850 guests on Monday 6 February. Bookings for this event have now closed, but you can find out more about future events below. 

What's new

Chamber Meets Levelling Up Minister   

Earlier this week, the Chamber, alongside other Maritime UK members, took part in a meeting with the Levelling Up Minister, Dehenna Davidson. 

The meeting was a chance to discuss with the Minister the recently announced levelling up funding, forthcoming levelling up funding rounds and the importance of infrastructure delivery to ensure that coastal areas can provide highly skilled and green jobs across the country.

The Chamber also took part in a meeting with MP and Shadow Climate Change Minister Dr Alan Whitehead and pressed him on the importance of ensuring that there is joined-up thinking on issues such as the rollout of shore power and grid capacity challenges.

Annual Dinner 2023  

Last year, the Annual Dinner attracted around 730 influential guests. This year, we are delighted to announce that we will be joined by some 850 guests. Among those, there will be high-profile guests, such as the Maritime Minister Baroness Vere, who will be one of the night's speakers, along with the Chamber's President Graham Westgarth.

Thank you to all our sponsors, Northern Marine, V. Group, Denholm, UK Ship Register, Lloyd’s Register, ABS, Seapeak and Witherbys, for supporting us this year.

We look forward to seeing you at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Monday, 6 February; doors open at 7 pm.

Successful Introduction to Shipping Course  

Yesterday returned our Introduction to Shipping course, delivered by our Policy Team. The successful course was attended by 30 industry representatives.

We are very pleased with the early feedback we received, and therefore we have decided to offer the same course in March, the date will be announced in due course.

If you or any of your colleagues would be interested in finding out more details about this event, please email our Event Manager Jo McGhee.

Mobilising Investment for Decarbonising UK Freight Transport

The Decarbonising UK Freight Transport network presents their final event which sees participants supporting the creation of sector roadmaps and providing ideas to help decarbonise the fright transport sector.

The event is divided in 4 sessions, all highly interactive, aimed at generating discussions and brainstorm activities.

The Mobilising Investment for Decarbonising UK Freight Transport event will take place at the Southampton Harbour Hotel on 9 February. You can read more and also book your tickets on their event page.

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:

• Ferry and Cruise Panel Minutes - 8 December 2022
• Legal, Insurance and Documentary Committee, 2 February 2023: Agenda and Notes
• Legal, Insurance and Documentary Committee, 2 February 2023: Item 23-08 Annex A
• Legal, Insurance and Documentary Committee, 2 February 2023: Item 23-08 Annex B
• Legal, Insurance and Documentary Committee, 2 February 2023: Item 23-08 Annex C

Upcoming Events

Annual Dinner 2023 (bookings have now closed)

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

Harbour Towage Panel

The Panel will take place on 6 February 2023, at the International Chamber of Shipping and its purpose is to identify issues and develop policies relating to harbour towage operations.

All members with an interest in harbour towage and related matters, including tug operators, class societies, law firms, P&I clubs, port authorities, marine consultants and others are encouraged to attend.

Members are invited to raise any areas for inclusion with the Panel Secretary, Robert Merrylees.

Safety & Environment Committee Panel 

This members-only Committee discusses a wide range of environmental and safety-related matters, including decarbonisation, BWMC, underwater noise, marine plastic litter, ship recycling, safety culture, vehicle deck safety, offshore renewables, navigation and fuel safety.

Members are invited to suggest specific areas for inclusion on the Agenda. This will be a hybrid meeting held at the International Chamber of Shipping offices in London, on 8 February. 

 If you would like more information, please contact Elise Nyborg.

UKCOS & BPA Shore Power Workshop (Book by 1 February)

Join the UK Chamber of Shipping & British Ports Association on 8 February to discuss the proposed introduction of shore power in the UK. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute towards a joint position paper.

As the UK government looks to develop shore power as a clean energy solution for shipping, this workshop will bring together experts from across the shipping and port sector to explore the potential benefits and challenges of its adoption. Through a series of interactive discussions, we will delve into considerations surrounding infrastructural capacity, funding, and sector-specific requirements to consider how shore power might be deployed in practice to best support the transition to a low-carbon maritime industry.

Register your place. 

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.