The British Ports Association (BPA) has outlined key priorities for 2020: Sustainability, energy transition, regional growth, connectivity, innovation, safety, people & skills, regulatory review and port ‘impact’ to be major themes.
The British Ports Association has issued its annual New
Year’s message picking out some expected highlights for UK port authorities and
operators in 2020. Whilst the terms of the Brexit deal will no doubt continue
to dominate, the BPA – the national association for ports, harbours and
terminals – is keen to influence the new UK Government and policy makers around
the UK in a range of important areas.
Brexit, Free Ports
& Maritime 2050
The Association’s
Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne, said:
“2020 could be a pivotal year for ports. The passed the
EU Withdrawal Agreement will see the UK diverging from European customs rules
meaning new border controls for freight operators. This will be a major
challenge for parts of the UK logistics sector including those on the Irish Sea,
so working with the Government to ensure additional costs and delays are kept
to a minimum will be central to our discussions with officials. There will of
course be potential opportunities to influence the expected deregulation drive
which may include shaping any new infrastructure and fisheries funding, as well
as State Aid rules and port service regulations.”
“We also expect the Government to press ahead with a
Free Ports policy so encouraging an inclusive port zoning strategy, looking at
how ports of all type and location will feature in national and regional growth
strategies will be central. Separately working with the UK Government and
devolved administrations, as well as implementing some of the previously
considered strategies such as Maritime 2050 in England and others in the rest
of the UK, will be key themes for the BPA this year.”
Sustainability,
Planning, and the Energy Transition
The BPA’s team outlined some specific points. The BPA’s Head
of Policy and External Affairs, Mark Simmonds, who leads on the Association’s
sustainability agenda, said:
“For many, 2020 is the year of the sulphur cap but the
focus on air emissions from ports and shipping more widely will continue to
grow. Whilst Brexit has dominated the headlines for years, sustainability has
been the issue that affects all ports and it will be near the top of the
political agenda for the next decade – whether it’s emissions, planning rules
or marine litter. This presents huge challenges for ports and sustainability
and the environment will be a particular focus for the BPA this year. More
generally, the energy transition will continue to change the way ports operate
as some cargoes decline or fall away completely whilst new ones appear and
offshore renewables becomes ever more important to the sector. Finally, a ‘new’
UK Government, Brexit and any potential economic fallout may mean that the
industry’s ideas for improving the planning and consenting regimes for ports
start to be heard with more interest in Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff Bay and
Stormont.”
Infrastructure and
Connectivity
In terms of wider transport and economic policies, Phoebe
Warneford-Thomson, Policy and Economic Analyst, at the BPA highlighted the
important economic role that ports play in providing jobs and industry in often
deprived UK regions. Highlighting how Government and local authorities can
support port growth she said:
2020 is a year of real opportunity for ports. However
national, regional and local planners will need to prioritise port transport
and infrastructure needs in order for the sector to realise new projects and
developments. While UK cargo figures did slow somewhat last year, other types
of port business are thriving. Notably, ports remain a fundamental component of
UK tourism as the popularity of marine leisure continues to grow. UK cruise
passenger numbers also increased by 15% to 2.2 million last year, in
continuation of the significant upward trend in recent years and we expect to
see continue in 2020 along with other trends such as in relation to growing and
supplying offshore renewables and wind energy developments. In addition, the BPA will also be heavily
focusing on transport connectivity for ports this year as we host the first
Port Connectivity Summit in March, to focus attention on the investment needed
to better integrate ports into the wider transport infrastructure and we will
also be renewing calls for a new UK Freight Strategy to help UK ports be more
agile and competitive.
As well as being the voice of the UK ports industry, the BPA
acts as a forum for discussion and collaboration, bringing the sector together
throughout the year. The Association’s successful and expanding programme of
annual events are already planned for 2020:
- The Association’s Annual Lunch in London this
April; - Our unrivalled
Annual Conference which will be hosted by Aberdeen Harbour Board on 14
& 15 October; - Receptions for politicians and industry to meet
in the House of Commons, Holyrood and the Senydd; and - Focussed regional events around the UK,
including one-off targeted seminars such as the Port Connectivity Summit, and
Decarbonising Ports & Shipping conference which is a joint event with the
UK Chamber of Shipping being held on 9 January; as well as - Governance and duty holder training for our port
members and their board members.
The BPA has also been working alongside various members and
associate members by collating short reports on innovation and trends as part
of its ‘Port Futures’ programme. Recent examples have examined digitalisation,
autonomous shipping and master planning and further projects will be launched
this year.
Alongside these,
maintaining and growing the Association’s network and influence, as well as the
promotion of best practise from other industries on issues such as safety will
be important for 2020 and the BPA’s
Corporate Services Manager, Sara Walsh added:
“We will also be looking to expand our membership to
terminals and port operators as we feel it’s important that they have a voice
and are represented within the maritime sector. On safety, we will continue to
work with and support our colleagues at Port Skills and Safety on work such as
improving safety culture and performance at ports, including sharing of best
practices and lessons learned both inside and outside the sector. On marine
safety we will underline specific asks on the introduction of alcohol limits
for recreational mariners, raise awareness of the dangers of dangerously
weighted heaving lines and defective pilot ladders; and of course promote
compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code, which is expected to be reviewed
shortly.”
With the launch of a new UK-wide Maritime Skills Commission,
the Maritime UK Women in Maritime initiative and the success of the Maritime
career’s hub at London International Shipping Week 2019, the BPA will continue
to take a leading role at career events, forums and school outreach sessions
promoting maritime careers.
The BPA’s Office
Manager, Shenaz Bussawon, who has taken a lead on skills and careers,
highlighted:
“There continues to be a lack of awareness about port
and maritime career opportunities. In 2020 we will be promoting more events and
highlighting the importance of reaching out to primary and secondary school
children as well as university students. We will also be launching our ‘People
in Ports’ initiative which shall give insight into the wide range of careers
opportunities available at UK ports.”
Sea News Feature, January 3
