This week, our Director of Policy, Peter Aylott, in conversation with Times Radio (skip to 1:15:36 to listen), discussed potential disruptions to product supplies and shipping route diversions due to continuous attacks in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, we welcomed a new member to Chamber membership and a new sponsor for our Annual Dinner on 5 February 2024. Find a news round-up below to learn more about this as well as COP28 highlights.

Christmas is approaching, so we wanted to let you know that our Daily Briefing and Bulletin will take a break next week and will resume in the new year from w/c 2 January 2024. Have a joyful Christmas and a happy New Year from all of us at the UK Chamber of Shipping.

Welcome New Member Pentland Ferries

Pentland Ferries is a family-owned Orkney-based private ferry operator providing ro-ro pax and freight services over the Pentland Firth. Currently, they employ over 90 people, over half of which reside locally. They have operated for 22 years without any external funding.

Pentland Ferries Managing Director, Helen Inkster, commented on their membership:

“Pentland Ferries is delighted to have been approved as a member of the UK Chamber of Shipping. We are a family-owned and run business, operating a passenger and freight service across the Pentland Firth between St Margaret’s Hope in Orkney and Gills Bay in the north of Scotland. We look forward to drawing on the advice and guidance of the Chamber – and becoming an active participant on its committees and panels.”

Join us in welcoming them to our Chamber Membership and visit the Pentland Ferries website to learn more about them.

COP28 Key Findings

Dubai hosted the much-anticipated COP28 between 30 November and 12 December. Nearly 200 nations gathered to negotiate and agree on actions to tackle climate change. Shipping was a vital part of the 2-week long discussions, with announcements highlighting the industry’s commitment to a just, orderly and equitable transition to net zero.

The Maritime Just Transition Taskforce (MJTT) announced a collaborative project to set the framework to equip seafarers with the skills required as the industry transitions. The first Baseline Training Framework will be tested in Asia through a programme led by World Maritime University and then tested globally.

The Chamber is committed to leading the industry's transition towards a sustainable future, in line with the Paris Agreement’s climate goal. It welcomes the work of the MJTT and the IMO to ensure our seafarers are given the tools that they need for the journey.

A detailed summary of COP28 has been circulated to Committees with particular interest; those who wish to see it can contact Policy Advisor Hannah Gilbert.

Third Annual Dinner Silver Sponsor

Welcome our third Annual Dinner 2024 Silver Sponsor, the Denholm Group. The Annual Dinner on 5 February 2024 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London can still be booked on our Annual Dinner event page.

“The Denholm Group is delighted to sponsor the UK Chamber of Shipping’s 2024 Annual Dinner. This key event in the industry calendar is the ideal occasion for friends and colleagues from across shipping to meet and network, and to recognise recent industry achievements. It is why the Denholm Group has chosen, once again, to support the UK Chamber of Shipping annual dinner”, said Ben MacLehose, CEO, at the Denholm Group.

Members Survey

Our Members Survey is back to give you the opportunity to share your feedback and help us improve our service.

You can expect questions about our new website, communication channels, lobbying and policy, events and much more.

Complete the survey by 12 January 2024 for a chance to win a ticket to our Annual Dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel on 5 February. We promise it will take no more than 5 minutes.

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: 

• Harbour Towage Panel | 13 September 2023 | Minutes
• ILO-IMO Joint Working Group, 27-29 Feb 2024: Bullying and Harassment

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

Sign up for the Chamber's Newsletters 

To sign up for our newsletters you'll simply need to create an account on our website and choose your communication preferences. 

Members have a wide selection of circulars and other Chamber communications. Non-members will also have the opportunity to subscribe to some of our newsletters: Daily Briefing, Weekly Bulletin and Events Update.

Upcoming Events

Chamber Annual Gala Dinner  

The UK Chamber of Shipping is delighted to confirm that its Annual Gala Dinner will be taking place on 5th February 2024 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, Park Lane.

The premier black-tie event in the shipping calendar will be an opportunity to network with colleagues and celebrate recent achievements. Last year's event attracted around 855 influential guests from across the industry.

BOOK TICKET

Maritime Labour Convention Online Course

The Chamber will be hosting an online-only training course 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 held on Tuesday 23rd January 9:30 - 12:30.

BOOK TICKET 

Introduction to Shipping Course  

Join us on Monday, 26 February, from 2 pm to 4 pm for our online course on Introduction to Shipping.

The Chamber’s Introduction to UK Shipping online course is an engaging online snapshot that will give participants an understanding of how the UK shipping industry operates, its regulations, constraints, and current issues.

BOOK TICKET  

Satellite Data & Service Opportunities for Maritime Online Webinar 

Join us on 25 January for a roundtable discussion on opportunities for leveraging satellite data and services in the Maritime sector. In collaboration with the UK Space Agency’s ‘Unlocking Space for Business’ programme.

BOOK TICKET 

Shipping UK Conference

We are delighted to announce the UK Chamber of Shipping will host its first Shipping UK, Conference on 8th October 2024 at the QEII Centre, Westminster.

The Chamber is currently working on themes, speakers and the day’s format but early thoughts are this will look into the key shipping issues we will all face over the next 10-15 years and will include Keynote Speakers, Breakout Sessions, Panel Debates, an Exhibition and Evening Food & Drink networking event at the end of conference business. Tickets will be on sale in early January 2024. In the meantime, save the date.