UK Government Shipping Policy to be Scrutinised

Government shipping policy is set to come under intense scrutiny as The House of Commons Transport Committee calls for evidence on the government’s strategy for the maritime sector.

The committee will take oral evidence in September, coinciding with London International Shipping Week. Meanwhile, Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond has stressed the importance of Britain’s growing shipping industry, who praises the vital economic contribution made by the UK shipping industry, worth GBP14-billion per year, and recognises the continued role of the UK as a leading maritime centre.

The Chair of the Transport Committee, Louise Ellman MP, has said that the committee will be “looking at the government’s strategy for supporting the maritime sector, including both its own policies and its work in European and international forums”.

The committee has invited written evidence on the following points:

• What should be the main priorities of the Government’s maritime strategy for vessels registered in the UK? How does this fit in with the overall transport strategy for the UK?
• To what extent does EU maritime strategy complement the Government’s strategy?
• How effectively do current Government policies (e.g. the Tonnage Tax, training, and reforms to the ship registration process) support an internationally competitive maritime sector in the UK?
• What constraints are there on growth in the UK maritime sector and how can these constraints be overcome?
• What more should be done to ensure there is a sufficiently trained workforce for the current and future needs of the UK maritime sector?
• Is there scope for improving the Government’s approach to maritime safety and the prevention of pollution by ships?