Welcome to this week’s Bulletin. 

The UK has once again been plunged into political uncertainty following the resignation of the Prime Minister. With the election of a new leader of the Conservative Party underway, we will have a new Prime Minister by this time next week and possibly as soon as Monday. While we don’t know whether this will mean a further reshuffle of the cabinet and ministerial ranks the Chamber is ready to engage with the new Prime Minister and their team as soon as the situation becomes clearer. 

Meanwhile, we have entered the second phase of developing the Chamber’s Strategic Plan, led by the Supervisory Board. All members are invited to contribute through a series of online discussions. Please read our first story below for more information on how to get involved.

 This past week, the Chamber has also been busy working on the Seafarers’ Wages Bill, as it returns to Parliament next week, as well as preparing for our Autumn Lunch in Southampton where we look forward to welcoming 100 guests.

Strategic Plan Member Consultation

We are currently undertaking a full review of the Chamber’s Strategic Plan, led by the Supervisory Board. This process is designed to ensure that the Chamber is geared up to capitalise on the opportunities that present themselves in the years ahead and we are delivering on what our members want the Chamber to focus on.

The first stage of this review analysed key trends in our operating environment and confirmed the Chamber’s core purpose and values. We are now entering the second stage: generating ideas on how to deliver brilliantly against the purpose and capitalising on the strengths and opportunities identified in stage one.  All members are warmly invited to contribute to this process, via a series of small group discussions to be held online.

Each workshop will have a maximum capacity of 12 participants to facilitate an open conversation. Places will be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis – please email Shirley Rice who will register your attendance and share the dial-in details. Dates currently available are as follows, more will be made available in the case of additional demand.

1. Tuesday 1st November 15:00 – 16:30
2. Friday 4th November 11:00 – 12:30
3. Friday 11th November 10:30 – 12:00
4. Monday 14th November 12:00 – 13:30
5. Wednesday 23rd November 15:00 – 16:30

As members, your views on our priorities are of critical importance. I very much look forward to your engagement in setting the strategic direction of the Chamber for the coming years.

UK Chamber of Shipping meets Shadow Maritime Minister 

Earlier this week the Chamber’s Director of Communications Tom Bartošák-Harlow met the shadow maritime minister Mike Kane MP. 

This meeting followed an earlier discussion at Labour Party Conference and was a chance for the Chamber to raise key issues that are likely to form part of the Labour Party’s next manifesto. Issues raised included decarbonisation and the need for UK leadership on pushing for more ambitious targets at the IMO, the need for integrated investment in infrastructure and growing the skills in the sector. 

October Member Update 

Last week saw the publication of the Chamber’s latest ‘Member Update’. 

In this issue, readers will have an insight into the work of the Chamber. The Chamber continues to work hard on members’ behalf with the UK government and international partners on a range of key issues and activities and has also held high-profile events such as the Summer Lunch in Edinburgh and the Safety Culture Conference in Liverpool. 

More information on the issues that the Chamber is currently working on is available on the Chamber’s website.

Seafarers’ Wages Bill 

Next week the Seafarers’ Wages Bill returns to the House of Lords for further debate on Wednesday. You will be able to watch the debate, but the precise timing of the debate is uncertain. 

The Chamber has been speaking to peers to highlight the risks of widening the scope of the Bill via a reduction in the 120 calls limit. We will update Chamber members next week on the outcome of the debate. 

Reducing container losses at sea 

Waves Group, Britannia P & I and Lloyd’s have come together to produce simple on-board guidance to assist bridge teams in identifying conditions that may lead to excessive rolling and pitching and loss of containers. 

For those who are interested, you can view the operational guidance that covers container vessels from 3,000 up to 23,000 TEU in size. You can also find further information on the work.

Autumn Lunch 2 November

Thank you to everyone who has registered for the Autumn Lunch in Southampton, we are looking forward to a great networking event with industry peers, and lunch preceded by a Q&A session with our President Graham Westgarth. A special thank you to our sponsors V.Group and Yara Marine.

The Autumn Lunch reached nearly 100 attendees and the Chamber is very pleased to have received such a positive response to a brand-new event. 

Registration is now closed, but people are welcome to check the Chamber’s website for future events and updates.   

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:

• Future Fuels Study - Short Sea Shipping Survey
• Minutes of the Safety and Environment Committee meeting, 20 July 2022

Upcoming events 

Maritime Sector Under The EU/UK ETS webinar

The UK Chamber of Shipping is pleased to partner with William Scott, Carbon Market Specialist and UK Key Account Manager of Global Factor. Global Factor is an environmental services company with over 15 years of experience assisting the industry with its carbon allowance requirements.  

The talk will aim to provide a comprehensive view of the scheme’s structure and current reforms with a strong focus on the trading aspect for new industrials to the ETS trying to navigate the carbon markets. 

We look forward to exploring the carbon markets with you on Thursday, 24 November 2022.

Please register your space for the webinar.

Lithium-Ion Battery webinar

The UK Chamber of Shipping is delighted to partner with our member Waves Group on this ‘Lithium-Ion Battery Carriage: Fire Risks & Containment Measures’ webinar on Monday, 31 October. 

While lithium-ion batteries use increases as the world seeks to decarbonise, they are also causing safety concerns during transportation on ships. This webinar will look at the risks and hazards of transporting these batteries both inside containers and onboard Ro-Ro vessels. 

The webinar will also be looking at the firefighting techniques and containment measures used to control such fires. Please register for this webinar.

British Tugowners Association (BTA) Annual Safety Seminar 

The BTA will be holding its Annual Safety Seminar on Thursday 10 November in Edinburgh, at the premises of the Northern Lighthouse Board. We are pleased to announce that the theme of the event is the recovery of persons from the water and that the Maritime Skills Academy has kindly agreed to be silver sponsor of the event. 

The speakers and topics have now been announced and include:

• Alan McPherson (from the UK Harbour Masters Association) will be discussing a Harbour Master’s perspective on emergency response and recovering persons from the water.
• Maritime Skills Academy will cover, creating a balanced workforce through tailored training.
• James Burge (from Svitzer Towage) will talk through Safety Statistic Analysis & Potential Future Enhancement.
• Andy Tripping & Pete Lloyd (from Zelim) will present Revolutionising Offshore Safety.
• George West (from Quiksling) will discuss an equipment case study.
• Robert Allan Architects will cover, considering PIW recovery within Vessel Design.
• Oliver Burke (from Svitzer Towage) will present an engineered solution - the Juliet Balcony?.

Places are limited and filling up fast, so please secure and register your place through the Chamber’s website.

Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2022

The theme for the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2022 is ‘Our Time Is Now’, which will have a particular focus on Mersey Maritime’s 20th anniversary, and look forward to the bright future of the sector.

Now in their eighth year, the awards will take place in the iconic and prestigious Liverpool Cathedral on Thursday 10 November 2022. Further details can be viewed on Mersey Maritime’s website.

Free tickets for Chamber members – Seatrade Maritime Salvage & Wreck Conference

Save the date – with the tagline “Supporting A Sustainable Future” this conference (30 November - 1 December), is being held at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Tower of London.

Free tickets for UK Chamber of Shipping ship owners/managers/members. For more information, please contact Karen at karen.attia@informa.com.

Have a restful and peaceful weekend,

Sarah