14
Apr 23

Weekly Bulletin: Friday 14 April 2023

Welcome to this week's Bulletin.

On Wednesday, the Chamber launched its long-awaited new website. We can't wait for you to see what the new system has to offer. Take a moment to have a look and enjoy the new features, such as the enhanced member dashboard. You also have the chance to win a bottle of champagne if you create your website account before the end of April. Read below for more information.

Meanwhile, we welcomed Sophie Bornor as the new Chamber's HR and Office Administrator, following Sharne Moore's departure. Sophie's background is in HR and she is currently undertaking her CIPD with us. We are very pleased to have her onboard.

This week we have also announced a new speaker for our Summer Lunch and the BTA Annual Conference, learn more in the article below.


What's new

New Chamber Website

The Chamber is thrilled to announce the launch of its new website, which will allow users to tailor their content and fully be in control of  their sign-up preferences. Since its launch we received over 100 account subscriptions, we are pleased to see such a positive response and thank everyone for doing so. 

New features include:

  • Member dashboard 
  • Enhanced events area
  • Improved user experience
  • Automatic subscription to Chamber newsletters
  • Quick and easy account registration

Please visit our new website and start enjoying the benefits by registering for an account. The registration process is very easy and will take you less than 1 minute to do. 

Members and non-members can both register for an account and subsribe to our communications newsletters. Members can access the Members Dashboard, upon their registration and review their committee and panel sign-up preferences.

Account Registration Prize 

All Members who register by 30 April 2023 will have a chance to win a prize of a bottle of champagne. To enter the competition, please email website@ukchamberofshipping.com and answer the following questions:

1. Have you completed your profile in the member dashboard area?

2. At what venue is the safety culture conference being held in October?

3. Which resource was published on 9 February 2022?

All answers can be found on the new website.

The launch of our new website is a crucial element of the Chamber’s new strategic plan. The key aspects of the plan focus on ensuring the Chamber is doing everything it can to support members; be a focal point for thought leadership and amplification of the industry; ensure the industry has a sustainable future. You can read more about the strategic plan on the website. Please let me know if you have any feedback on the new website or strategic plan.

Maritime Engagement Forum (MEF)

On Wednesday, the Chamber hosted the Maritime Engagement Forum which was attended by over 50 delegates from the Ministry of Defence, DfT and the wider maritime industry. 

This collaboration aims to keep the UK Government and the shipping industry informed on both domestic and international security and defence developments, seeking ideas to tackle these threats. The forum was updated on the work of the Shipping Defence Advisory Council (SDAC), the refresh of the UK Government’s Integrated Defence Review, the role of the UK Maritime Trade Organisation and the Joint Maritime Security Centre.

Emerging threats such as UAVs (drones) and residual piracy activities were reviewed, and discussions focussed on mitigation at operational and diplomatic levels as well as a broader dialogue on potential implications of new geo-political orders. The Maritime and Safety and Security Alliance lead the forum on cyber security threats that raised concerns of PNT jamming and spoofing as well as the capability of “dark fleets” to manipulate AIS data. 

The MEF meets twice a year to look at emerging and future security concerns that face the industry and feeds into the SDAC which generates industry and Government policies to mitigate or eradicate these threats. The next meeting will be in September. 

If Chamber members would like to attend, please contact the Chamber's Director of Policy, Peter Aylott.

Transport Minister to Attend our Summer Lunch and BTA Annual Conference

Following the election of the new Scottish First Minister in March, Kevin Stewart was  recently appointed as the new Minister for Transport.

We are delighted to announce that the new Transport Minister will be in attendance at our Summer Lunch in Edinburgh and also our British Tugowner Association Annual Conference in Glasgow. 

It will be a great opportunity to hear from the Minister and engage with the Scottish Government on shipping issues. So if you haven't done so, please book your tickets as soon as possible, event tickets are nearly sold out for our Summer Lunch. Find out more on our events and how to join under our Event Section below.

2023 Chamber Journal – Feedback Wanted 

Following the launch of the 2023 Journal, the Chamber is seeking feedback that will help formulate the future of the Journal and similar publications.

The Chamber has created a short five-question survey that will take approximately one minute to answer, so please take the survey. You can answer the survey even if you have not read this year’s Journal. 

Passage Planning Guide Photo competition

The Chamber and the maritime publisher Witherbys are running a photo competition for the next front cover of the new edition of ‘Passage Planning Guide - English Channel, Dover Strait, and Southern North Sea’ published by Witherbys.

The winner will receive a prize of £1,000 and have their photo on the cover of the new Passage Planning Guide.

This competition is open to anyone over 16, including members of the public, seafarers and workers around the coastal regions. We are calling on all budding photographers to submit shots that they have taken that capture ships sailing across the Channel.

If you would like to enter the competition, please send your photo to marketing@witherbys.com by Friday, 30 June 2023. By entering the competition, you give permission to the UK Chamber of Shipping and Witherbys to use your photo. You can read more on our news page.

If you have already sent your picture to the previous email address (info@ukchamberofshipping.com) please forward them to marketing@witherbys.com. We apologise for any inconvenience. 

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:

Upcoming Events

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.

MEMBER REGISTRATION