Welcome to this week's Bulletin.

This week, the Chamber hosted a delegation from the Korean Shipowners Association and Korean Government for an open discussion on enhancing shipping trade, taxation and crew training. We also invited them to join the discussions at London International Shipping Week to foster further collaboration.  

The Chamber has been made aware of the circulation of some phishing emails with the false pretext of selling the Chamber database. We want to reassure you that the Chamber would never under any circumstances sell Member data. Therefore, if you receive similar phishing emails, please report them to your IT team.

We are delighted to have Katrina Ross back with us as our new Policy Director for Commercial and Governance. Meanwhile, applications for the position of Policy Manager responsible for Ferry and Cruise are closing soon, so if you are interested, please apply by Friday, 5 May.

What's new

Chamber updates MPs on Priorities

On Tuesday, the Chamber updated MPs and Peers on key shipping priorities at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Maritime and Ports.

Chaired by former maritime minister Robert Courts MP the group provides a focal point for parliamentarians to discuss key shipping issues and take collective action to promote policies that will ensure shipping continues to be at the heart of UK prosperity. The Chamber’s Director of Policy Peter Aylott highlighted the following priorities:

• The importance of agreeing an international target of net zero by 2050 at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
• That the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan must take account of international and regional measures and ensure that abatement initiatives are aligned and deliver the net zero strategy.
• Continuing to work to improve the welfare of seafarers on board vessels, including on important issues such as internet connectivity.
• Working together to maintain access to finance to replace older vessels supporting the oil and gas industry in the North Sea as part of the North Sea Transition Deal with the Government.

To learn more about this meeting view our news page.

Workshop on Shipping's Inclusion in the EU ETS

Last week, the European Parliament decided to include shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System. So the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) is organising a workshop titled "ETS for Beginners with DG CLIMA" on 22 May, from 10:30 to 12:00. The workshop will present the key aspects of the agreement, which will introduce shipping into the EU's carbon market from 1 January 2024 as part of a new overall agreement for all sectors covered by the ETS and as part of the wider ‘Fit for 55’ package of legislative proposals. Following the presentation, representatives from DG CLIMA will address practical questions about the scheme’s implementation.

The EU ETS is a significant regulatory change for the shipping industry. This workshop is an excellent opportunity for members who want to learn more about the scheme and prepare for its implementation. Register by 15 May.

The link to the online workshop will be sent a week before the meeting. For more information, or questions to the ECSA ahead of the workshop, please contact the Chamber's Policy Advisor Elise Nyborg. 

New Chamber Website

Since its launch earlier this month we have received over 240 account subscriptions.  

Please visit our new website and start enjoying the benefits by registering for an account. Please note old logins for the website no longer work. The registration process is very easy and will take you less than 1 minute to do. 

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.

Small Vessel Engineer Officer of the Watch Training Record Book

Following new training regulations in January 2023, the Small Vessel Second Engineer, training record book, has now become the Small Vessel Engineer Officer of the Watch, training record book.

The book is written by the MNTB and approved by the MCA. It is for use by trainee officers undertaking onboard training leading to a certificate of competency for Small Vessel Engineer Office of the Watch (EOOW) (less than 9000kW, less than 3000 GT). 

Copies are available through the Witherbys website. 

UK Merchant Navy Rating Industry Day

The Royal Navy invites you to an industry day to discuss the future growth of UK Merchant Navy Ratings for the 21st Century on 24 October 2023 in the Royal Navy’s School of Seamanship, at HMS RALEIGH.

In co-operation with the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, the Merchant Navy Training Board and supported by the DfT and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the Royal Navy wishes to play its part in DfT’s Maritime 2050 strategy. The aim is to explore joint appetite, prospects for growth and how to shape 21st Century MN Ratings of Excellence to nurture this vital UK skill pool.

For more information, please find the invitation letter attached to this newsletter.  

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. The latest updates this week include the following:

• CMI Questionnaire on 1910 Collision Convention

Upcoming Events

Summer Lunch - only 8 tickets left 

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.

BOOK TICKET

BTA AGM, Conference and Dinner - registration closes soon 

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

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