29
Sep 23

Weekly Bulletin: Friday 29 September 2023

Welcome to this week’s Bulletin.

The last week of September sees our Safety Culture Conference ticket sales end. So, if you would like to join us in Bristol next week, please submit your request by the end of today, more details are below.

Elsewhere, Together in Safety has launched its brand new website with interactive questionnaires and resources aimed at supporting the industry by providing insights into safety and prevention.

This week, our policy team held their first ever Sustainability Reporting and Finance Working Group, find a write-up of the meeting below.

What's new

Safety Culture Conference Last Chance to Book

Bristol will open its doors to the Safety Culture Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday next week (3 - 4 October).

This year’s one-and-a-half-day conference theme is 'Establishing a Learning Culture', with interactive presentations from experts inside and outside the maritime sector.

The four pillars of Together in Safety - leadership, incident prevention, wellbeing and care and collaboration - will be the sub-themes for the conference.

This week is your last chance to book your ticket for this conference, visit our event page for more information.

Thanks again to all sponsors: Bureau Veritas, Shell, Fathom Safety and Maritime Skills Academy.

Chamber’s Sustainability Reporting & Finance Working Group

The Chamber's Sustainability Reporting & Finance Working Group met for the first time this week in a meeting hosted by Watson Farley & Williams (WFW). Over 20 took part, during which Gary Walsh of WFW was appointed as Chair, with Ivana Melillo of MSC Cruises taking the position of Vice-Chair.

The group will be working closely with the Carbon Working Group, providing a forum to review matters such as access to green, transition and sustainable finance, sustainability and climate-related reporting, disclosure standards, as well as the EU and UK Taxonomy classifying sustainable/green economic activities. Members can expect to feed into and coordinate the Chamber’s position to consultations including general policy.

Members were given an overview of recent developments by the WFW team on the UK and EU ETS, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), sustainability-linked loans and the Poseidon Principles. Members noted that the Government’s net zero ambitions need to be coupled with an understanding of what the UK market needs to provide transitional finance for operators.

The next meeting is to take place in Q1 2024. Members are invited to contact Katrina Ross and Hannah Gilbert if they are interested in participating.

Maritime Security Forum

Last week, the second 2023 Maritime Security Forum (MSF) was held at HMS President in London. Part of the Maritime Engagement Commitment, the forum aims to improve worldwide communication and understanding of maritime security issues between the shipping industry and the Ministry of Defence.

Chamber's Director of Policy, Peter Aylott and Naval Chief Officer Stuart Smith explained the critical role of the Shipping Defence Advisory Council, which brings together the international shipping industry and the UK Government in understanding current threats, security provisions and potential responses.

Other speakers included Commander Jools Howe RN, who provided an overview of the UK Defence Integrated Review and the concept of Global Navy, Global Britain. Lt William Benbow from Naval Operations, Northwood, gave an insight into the role of the UK Maritime Trade Information Centre and how it benefits the industry. Emma Healey, Head of International Security and Counter-Piracy, spoke about the support provided by the Department for Transport to Red Ensign Group flagged vessels.

Finally, Phil Belcher from Intertanko discussed the latest industry guidance for countering the loitering munitions (UAV/Drone) threat. MSF meets biannually and the next event will be in April 2024, date tbc.

If you are interested in attending, then please contact our Director of Policy, Peter Aylott.

Together in Safety New Website

Together in Safety has just launched its revamped website with interactive safety modules that include questionnaires designed to help your company assess your situation on this highly important matter.

Together in Safety is a community made up of maritime companies that share the same common goal: making safety a priority. They do this by sharing through their website free resources such as lessons learned and good practices on safety both at sea and onshore. 

For your chance to join the community and become a safety advocate, visit the Together in Safety website.

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. You can access all your resources through your member dashboard. Latest updates include: 

If you haven't done so, don't forget to register for an account.

Upcoming Events

In-person: Safety Culture Conference

The event aims to build on the acclaimed 2022 conference in Liverpool, which focused on the role of top management in determining safety culture. The theme for this year’s two-day conference will be “Establishing a Learning Culture”, with interactive presentations from experts from inside and outside the maritime sector.

Join us in person on 3 and 4 October 2023 at the Harbour Hotel in Bristol.

BOOK TICKET

Autumn Lunch 2023

The Chamber has just launched its annual Autumn Lunch at the Harbour Hotel in Southampton. There will be an opportunity to ask our President Graham Westgarth questions during our Q&A, followed by a three courses lunch.

Click below to book your table or tickets.

BOOK TICKET

Maritime Labour Convention

The Chamber will be hosting an online-only training course on Monday 30 October on the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC); how it has come to be the fourth pillar of international regulation for shipping, alongside SOLAS, MARPOL and STCW.

The course will be presented by Tim Springett and Hannah Gilbert of the Chamber.

BOOK TICKET

BTA Safety Seminar

The Annual Safety Seminar of the British Tugowners Association will take place on Thursday 16 November 2023 at Insurance Hall, London.

The Seminar will examine recent incidents, discuss accident prevention, and hear from tug experts, insurers and investigators. With an audience of tug masters, pilots, marine superintendents, P&I clubs, lawyers, workboat crew, harbour masters and others, the aim is to inform, discuss and share best practice.

The day will run from 0900-1600 with lunch and refreshments provided

BOOK TICKET