Privately-financed ports are engines of growth and fear they will be undermined by a new EU Ports Regulation, which threatens investment, growth and jobs. Dock workers ‘very much opposed to the regulation’ The UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG) and the British Ports Association (BPA) are urging MEPs to reject the European Commission’s proposal for a […]

UKMPG organised a Seminar in the European Parliament on 13 October 2015, titled “Encouraging Growth and Investment in European Ports”.  The event was hosted by Lucy Anderson MEP and brought together key industry and institution stakeholders to discuss the future of European ports policy.  The seminar also explored the ‘red lines’ of various stakeholders in […]

London International Shipping Week 2015 runs from 7 to 11 September.  Maritime industry functions will take place all week in venues across London, including a ports reception on Wednesday 9 September.  For more details see http://www.londoninternationalshippingweek.com/

The Apprenticeship Levy was announced by the Chancellor in his July Budget.  The formal consultation exercise on the proposal was launched on 21 August 2015 by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, and the Skills Minister, Nick Boles.  The consultation seeks views on the government’s proposal to introduce an apprenticeship levy to enable employers to choose […]

The latest Oxford Economics report on the economic contribution that ports make to the wider UK was published on 13 May. UKMPG’s Executive Director, Theresa Crossley, welcomed the report, saying “We’re pleased that despite the economic downturn, the picture for ports has remained generally positive.” The report can be downloaded here.  

The United Kingdom Department for Transport (DfT) is leading a review of the ships required to enable the General Lighthouse Authorities’ (GLAs) to fulfil their statutory duty to maintain marine aids to navigation. The aim is to identify the optimum number of ships, the capability of those ships, and the appropriate ownership and operational management […]

Responding to today’s announcements on Welsh devolution, the Chairman of the Welsh Ports Group welcomed the opportunity to open a new dialogue with the Welsh Government to discuss the implications of the proposed transfer of ports policy powers to the Welsh Assembly. The cross-party St David’s Day ‘Powers for a Purpose’ agreement includes commitments to […]

UKMPG has a new Executive Director. After 7 and a half years at the helm (and before that over 35 years in central Government), Richard Bird is retiring from the ports industry. From 16 January Theresa Crossley takes over as Executive Director. Theresa has a long association with the maritime sector having been head of […]

At today’s Annual General Meeting and reception, Bristol Port Company Chief Executive Simon Bird will take over as Chairman of the UK Major Ports Group, He succeeds Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, who is stepping down at the end of a four year term. James Cooper, CEO of Associated British Ports, is […]