UK Chamber President Calls for More Safety in Shipping
UK Chamber of Shipping president Dr Grahaeme Henderson has told attendees of the UK Chamber's annual summer lunch how they can lead the way in creating a safer and more prosperous maritime sector. "Shipping, Scottish shipping, is important. It is the lifeblood of the economy providing for the everyday needs of our people, making possible trade with the rest of the world, and creating jobs. Simply put, without shipping, Scotland does not operate," Dr Henderson said. The lunch in Edinburgh was attended by members of the Scottish parliament and the nation's shipping industry. "Across Scotland, the shipping industry is considering the opportunities and challenges that Brexit represents.
Britain Pumps GBP500mln into Scottish Naval Base
The Royal Navy’s submarine base at Faslane – home to Britain’s nuclear deterrent – is to receive a more than 500 million pounds investment grant from the Government, reports Reuters. Chancellor George Osborne says this move will safeguard 6,700 jobs at the Scottish site and create thousands more. Faslane would be the base for the new submarines. The Faslane naval base on the River Clyde, east of Glasgow, is home to the fleet of four Vanguard-class submarines, one of which is on patrol at all times, that form Britain's 'Trident' nuclear deterrent. The money will be spent on "ship lifts, sea walls, jetties and other major projects" and that work will start in 2017, the government said in a statement.
Scottish Independence Vote Worries Shipping Industry
If the Scots vote for independence in September's referendum, it could hit the country's shipping and offshore maritime sector, according to a survey by leading international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens, cited in Maritime London’s fortnightly news – ‘London Matters’. The survey of leading members of the shipping industry found that 55 per cent of respondents believed a yes vote damage the industry. However, 74 per cent said they had no plan of action if Scotland voted to abandon the Union, indicating a high level of confidence in a no vote on 18 September. According to the Moore Stephens survey, 74 per cent said they had no plan of action if Scotland voted to abandon the Union, indicating a high level of confidence in a no vote on 18 September.
