Uk Chamber News

The UK Chamber of Shipping announced the appointment of Rhett Hatcher as its next chief executive, replacing Sarah Treseder.Hatcher has recently retired from the Royal Navy. He brings with him a broad wealth of experience. His last role was as the UK National Hydrographer and Deputy Chief Executive at the UK Hydrographic Office. He gained a thorough understanding of Whitehall while in senior appointments at the Ministry of Defense, where he was responsible for global strategy…

A maritime industry safety group is calling for the total reinvention of lifeboats on board cargo vessels amid frequent injuries among seafarers.“Lifeboats are an essential part of crew safety onboard every vessel, but seafarers are way too often getting injured when launching the lifeboat,” the Container Ship Safety Forum e.V. (CSSF) said. “Over the years, many seafarers have been injured – some of them fatally – while launching the lifeboat during evacuations or evacuation drills.

A dozen countries have have committed to facilitate crew changes and achieve key worker designation for seafarers, following a virtual ministerial summit hosted by the U.K. government on Thursday, marking progress to help resolve a growing crisis facing the maritime industry, and enable hundreds of thousands of stranded seafarers to go home or join ships.“The inability of ship operators worldwide to conduct ship’s crew changes is the single most pressing maritime operational challenge to the safe and efficient movement of global trade…

The UK shipping industry brings in a remarkable GBP 19 billion (USD 25Bln) to our economy, an increase of 41% from 2010, and directly supports 181,000 jobs, UK Chamber of Shipping said quoting a new report from the Center for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The Chamber, which represents nearly 200 members, and works with Government, parliament and international organisations to champion and protect the industry, welcomed the report.Chief Executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping, Bob Sanguinetti, said: “We all know what an incredible shipping industry we have in the UK, and now we have the numbers to prove it."Sanguinetti added: "Bringing in nearly £19 billion to our economy and supporting 181,000 jobs, the shipping industry really is the backbone to communities across the UK.

Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has published results of a project undertaken by the UK-based marine consultancy  ABPmer, to develop a method to assign values to shipping cargo.The resulting mapping and information will improve the evidence base used in developing marine plan policies.Monty Smedley, maritime sector lead at ABPmer said “This was an exciting and novel project for us. The UK maritime sector plays a critical role in the growth and development of the country, enabling the import and export of goods and providing additional value through maritime and business services.We are very pleased to have developed a methodology providing the MMO with additional information to underpin the development of marine plan policy.”Robert Merrylees…

Britain lowered its security risk level for UK-flagged ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, more than a month after one of its tankers was finally released from detention by Iran.The Stena Impero was seized in July by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in the Strait, a major oil shipping route, for alleged marine violations two weeks after Britain detained an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar. The Iranian ship was released in August."UK-flagged ships will soon be able to transit the Strait of Hormuz without close Royal Naval accompaniment…

UK Chamber of Shipping has called for more hybrid ferries as part of tackling climate change.UK Chamber of Shipping Chief executive Bob Sanguinetti visited Wightlink in Portsmouth where he was shown their state-of-the-art hybrid ferry.Victoria of Wight, which takes passengers all year round to the Isle of Wight, entered service in August 2018 and was the first hybrid ferry in England. The ship uses a hybrid energy system, which works much like a hybrid energy car, allowing her to run partly on electricity when required. At the time of launching the Victoria of Wight used 17% less fuel than the next largest ship on the route, the St Clare.Speaking during his visit Bob Sanguinetti said:  “At the UK Chamber of Shipping we are determined to do all we can to help tackle climate change.

The secretary-general and chief executive of BIMCO, Angus Frew  is stepping down for personal reasons. BIMCO expects have found a replacement by the end of this year.Angus Frew has announced he will step down in the summer of 2020, as he wishes to spend more time in the UK and less time working.“In six successful years, Angus has moved BIMCO to the forefront of the shipping industry and made sure our members’ opinions and positions are listened to at the highest levels of government. He will leave an organisation very well prepared to deal with the challenges the industry will face in the coming years,” says Sadan Kaptanoglu, President of BIMCO.Under Angus Frew’s leadership, BIMCO has strengthened its brand and member focus significantly.

Iran will free seven crew members of the detained British-flagged tanker Stena Impero, Iranian state television reported on Wednesday, although the vessel's owner said it had yet to receive any official confirmation of the release date.The Swedish-owned Stena Impero was detained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards on July 19 in the Strait of Hormuz waterway for alleged marine violations, two weeks after Britain detained an Iranian tanker off the territory of Gibraltar. That vessel was released in August.Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi told the TV that the seven, who include Indian citizens, were allowed to leave the tanker on humanitarian grounds and could leave Iran soon."We have no problem with the crew and the captain and the issue is violations that the vessel committed…

Ambitious plans are being launched for a $184 million training and disaster relief ship with cutting-edge British technology.Britannia Maritime Aid (BMA), a registered charity, aims to build the futuristic vessel in Britain. It is officially launching its plans at the UK Chamber of Shipping on Monday September 9 during London International Shipping Week.Maritime professionals and training experts have joined forces for project with backing from former First Sea Lords, the Lord West of Spithead and Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh.Others supporters include members of the Houses of Lords and Commons, shipbuilder Cammell Laird, ship designers Leadship…

The continued detention of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero is "unacceptable and unjustifiable" and there are concerns for the welfare of the crew after 19 days in confinement, the vessel's owner said on Tuesday.Iran's Revolutionary Guards on July 19 seized the Stena Impero in the Strait of Hormuz waterway for alleged marine violations. That came two weeks after Britain seized an Iranian oil tanker near Gibraltar, accusing it of violating sanctions on Syria.Britain has repeatedly ruled out any swap of tankers.The saga has exacerbated frictions between Tehran and the West since the United States pulled out of an international agreement…

Britain says it fended off Iranian attempt to block its oil tankerThree Iranian vessels tried to block a British-owned tanker passing through the strait that controls the flow of Middle East oil to the world, but backed off when confronted by a Royal Navy warship, Britain said on Thursday.A week after Britain seized an Iranian tanker accused of violating sanctions on Syria, London said the British Heritage, operated by oil company BP, had been approached in the Strait of Hormuz…

Three Iranian vessels tried to block a BP-operated tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz but backed off when confronted by a Royal Navy warship, the UK government said on Thursday.Britain urged Iran to "de-escalate the situation in the region" after the British Heritage, a Suezmax oil tanker operated by BP under an Isle of Man flag, was approached."HMS Montrose was forced to position herself between the Iranian vessels and British Heritage and issue verbal warnings to the Iranian vessels…

The UK maritime industry is taking a leading stand in the fight against the illegal use of Dangerously Weighted Heaving Lines (DWHLs) in UK ports and harbors, an issue spanning the shipping and ports sectors, said British Ports Association (BPA).To coincide with the Department for Transport’s important Maritime Safety Week 2019, #maritimesafetyweek, the British Ports Association, British Tugowners Association, Port Skills and Safety, UK Chamber of Shipping, UK Major Ports Group, and UK Marine Pilots Association have issued a joint notice to raise awareness against their use and the consequences.Richard Steele, Chief Executive of Ports Skills and Safety…

Companies are leaving Britain's shipping registry due to uncertainty over Britain's departure from the European Union and future commercial arrangements with the bloc, industry officials say.All commercial ships have to be registered, or flagged, with a particular country partly to comply with safety and environmental regulations. Shipping companies in many so-called "flag states" pay corporation tax based on vessel tonnage rather than profit.Britain's ship registry forms part…

The UK Chamber of Shipping said that the UK Government’s plans to charter in ships to bring in supplies in an event of a No-Deal Brexit would not help.Responding to reports that Government may charter ships in the event of a No-Deal Brexit, UK Chamber of Shipping CEO Bob Sanguinetti said: “It is not clear how Government chartering ships would really help. I don’t see how Government itself can move goods faster or more efficiently than the private sector, particularly as those goods will still need to go through the same customs procedures in ports – which is where the real problem would be."“We must not sensationalise. We are a flexible industry and the shipping market can adapt to meet the needs of our national economy just as it always has done…

The sight of offshore wind turbines off the coast of Aberdeen symbolises a change in direction for the city, its energy mix and its offshore industry, says a press release by  UK Chamber of Shipping. Looking out to sea from Aberdeen, a gaggle of offshore wind turbines floats among the usual scattering of offshore support vessels waiting at anchor. Beside them waits an enormous wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), recognisable by its four upright jack-up legs, which are raised above the water while the ship is not in service. The sight of these structures symbolises a change in direction for Aberdeen, its energy mix and its offshore industry. The turbines are part of the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC), which is currently being installed in Aberdeen Bay.

Monday 25th June marked the IMO Day of the Seafarer, which this year has a particular focus on seafarer well-being. In response, members of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations; UK Chamber of Shipping and the Royal Dutch Shipowners Association have each launched webpages signposting seafarers to mental health charities, chaplain services and support networks. The move follows a study of more than 1000 seafarers by Yale University and the Sailor’s Society, where 26 per cent of seafarers said they had felt “down, depressed or hopeless”. In May 2018, the UK Chamber of Shipping and seafarer’s trade unions launched detailed guidance for shipping companies on how to proactively support their seafarer’s mental health.

Bob Sanguinetti has been appointed as the Chief Executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping. Sanguinetti was recently CEO of the Gibraltar Port Authority, where he was credited with delivering significant growth in vessel traffic following a series of wide-reaching initiatives. Previously he served as Commodore in the Royal Navy. Sanguinetti said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this prestigious role at a time when shipping is so central to the political agenda. The UK Chamber team deserve great credit for their work in recent years, and I am determined that we build on the solid foundation created under Guy Platten’s leadership. “The UK Chamber has a long and proud heritage at the heart of the shipping community.

UK Chamber of Shipping said that no deal could limit the opportunities for UK seafarers. A no-deal Brexit would also potentially inconvenience operators of UK-flagged ships, the UK Chamber says.On Thursday, the UK Government published another 28 technical notices, which advise on how potential disruption from a no-deal exit from the European Union can be minimised. The latest batch includes two important shipping-related notices: one on seafarer certification and one on maritime security.The UK Chamber’s immediate concerns are focused on how seafarer employment would be affected by a no-deal Brexit.The technical notice on seafarer certification identifies the basis for seafarer employment in STCW…

Prospective maritime caterers can now be assured of quality training and additional funding, thanks to a new apprenticeship standard developed by the UK’s Maritime Trailblazer group, said UK Chamber of Shipping. The new Maritime Caterer apprenticeship has been designed to train people to organise a kitchen and cook meals across a number of shifts that span the cultural needs of multinational crews. The new standard, which has been approved by the UK’s Institute for Apprenticeships, covers cookery skills, stocktaking and kitchen management, and outlines the skills, understanding and behaviour expected of caterers onboard ships. As part of the apprenticeship…

The Board of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) announced the appointment of Guy Platten to the role of Secretary General, after almost five years in the UK Chamber of Shipping. "Following an extensive and rigorous selection procedure, the Board of ICS is delighted to announce the appointment of Guy Platten to the role of Secretary General," said a press release. Esben Poulsson, ICS Chairman said: “This proved a difficult decision for us, as we interviewed several strong candidates. However, the decision to appoint Guy was taken unanimously by the Board. He will bring with him a broad range of skills including time at sea, demonstrable commercial success, and association work illustrated by his current successful tenure at the U.K. Chamber of Shipping.

Sir Michael Bibby was elected President of the UK Chamber of Shipping at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in London. He becomes the Chamber’s 132nd president in its 140th year. John Denholm, chairman of J&J Denholm, was elected Vice-President at the meeting, which was attended by over 100 people from the Chamber’s member companies. Sir Michael is planning to step back from his position as Managing Director of Bibby Line Group during 2018 to allow him to better focus his time on external work interests, including his involvement with the UK Chamber. He used his inaugural speech as President to praise the Chamber’s rising political and media influence, and its success with the SMarT Plus campaign, a joint proposal with Nautilus that became Government policy in February.