Welcome to this week’s Bulletin.
The Chamber was very busy this week as we travelled to Scotland to host the British Tugowner Conference in Glasgow. The Scottish Minister for Transport, Kevin Stewart, was also in attendance and addressed over 75 people after the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. To learn more about this event, read below. 

Thursday, saw the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime, observed to address the gender imbalance in the industry and support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 for gender equality. 

The Chamber and MNTB joined the discussion by sharing stories of women in maritime on our Twitter and LinkedIn channels as well as the Careers at Sea LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. 

What's new

Chamber Speaks to MPs on Refreshed Clean Maritime Plan

On Tuesday, the Chamber attended Maritime UK’s MP drop-in session focusing on the Refreshed Clean Maritime Plan (CMP).

The event, sponsored by Plymouth MP Luke Pollard, was a chance to highlight to MPs the importance of the CMP, providing the sector with a road map to net zero and ensuring it is backed up with sufficient funding.

You can read more about the drop-in on our website.

Clean Maritime Plan Member Decarbonisation Survey

The Chamber is seeking your invaluable input in preparation for the revamp of the Clean Maritime Plan, the UK Government's key strategy to reduce maritime sector emissions. 

Members are invited to take a short survey on the industry's decarbonisation plans and needs by 26 May. Your thoughts on alternative fuels, technological options, and the government's role will help us capture industry priorities. 

For any queries, please contact Elise Nyborg.

BTA Conference, Golf and Dinner 

The British Tugowner Association (BTA) Conference was held in Glasgow on 16 and 17 May. On Tuesday, the conference opened at the Ralston Golf Club with a welcome lunch, followed by a golf match and dinner. 

On Wednesday, the annual general meeting and conference took place at the Clayton Hotel, where keynote speakers included the Scottish Transport Minister, Kevin Stewart MSP. The event attracted 75 delegates. 

Thank you to our sponsors, Damen and Schottel, for their support. To read a write-up of the conference, visit our website.

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 want to enter the competition, please send your photo to marketing@witherbys.com by Friday, 30 June 2023. By entering the competition, you give the UK Chamber of Shipping and Witherbys permission to use your photo. You can learn more on our news 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 broad spectrum of issues. You can access all your resources through your member dashboard.The latest updates this week include:

• Your Input Needed - Clean Maritime Plan Decarbonisation Survey

Upcoming Events

Summer Lunch - Booking Closed

Our summer lunch is set to take place on Tuesday, 13 June 2023, in a brand new venue, the Signet Library, in Edinburgh. 

Located in the heart of the Old Town, just off the Royal Mile and next to St Giles’ Cathedral, the Signet Library was described by George IV as “the finest drawing room in Europe” and will allow the Chamber to host in excess of 200 guests in June.

Harbour Towage Panel 

This Panel will take place at 10:30 on Wednesday 14 June 2023, at Seawork 2023, the leading European commercial marine exhibition in Southampton running 13-15 June.

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. Core attendance will be from the British Tugowners Association (BTA) members, who will provide expertise from the sector.

MEMBER REGISTRATION