Meeting the Challenge

The UK port industry is the largest, and arguably most diverse in Europe. It is no surprise, therefore, that the challenges facing it are equally diverse. The BPA has a flexible structure which allows the Association to keep pace with change within the industry, and new developments outside it.

At the heart of the BPA is the Council, which is elected by the Membership and meets quarterly to make major policy decisions for the Association. This body is supported by a number of working groups, each focused on particular areas of interest for the industry, ranging from the environment and marine issues, to the particular concerns of fishing or leisure port members. The BPA also runs a Scottish Ports Committee, to deal with specifically Scottish issues post-devolution.

Working group participants are drawn from the Association’s membership, and supported by a permanent Secretariat based at offices in Central London. The BPA is entirely funded by its members, who also elect three Officers: the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Honorary Treasurer, at the Association’s Annual General Meeting. The AGM is held in March each year, and in combined with the BPA’s Annual Lunch- an industry-wide event held in the City.

Environment

The environment has, rightly, become a major area of increased awareness and concern in recent years. There has been a corresponding increase in environmental legislation and regulation. The BPA has taken a pro-active stance on these issues: we have signed up to the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Environmental Review and Code of Practice. The Association is also deeply involved in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive and current consultations on the proposed Marine Bill.

EcoPorts Initiative

Ecoports is an EU environmental initiative in which the Association has played a leading role. It provides the means for every port to make an assessment of its environmental condition using the Self Diagnosis Methodology (SDM). The SDM consists of a list of questions which are then analysed by the EcoPorts technical team. The result is a colour coded return identifying a port’s individual strengths and weaknesses and providing confidential comparisons with the rest of the industry.

Completion of the SDM can lead to qualification for a Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certificate. Certificates are awarded by Lloyd’s Register who carry out an independent audit of the application. A major benefit of PERS is that it can be used as a basis for further accreditation under ISO 140001. A number of BPA members have already been awarded certificates under the scheme as an endorsement of the standards of their environmental management.

Through its network, the Association can offer help to members in completing both the SDM and PERS certification.

Further details are available both from the BPA and from the EcoPorts website – www.ecoports.com.

Europe

The British port industry is, in many ways, very different to that of its European neighbours. A crucial challenge for the UK is to ensure fair competition between ports through the promotion of cost recovery principles within the EU. The European Working Group provides a forum in which to pool expertise on European issues, and has been involved in discussions on the Ports Services Directive, and EU security developments. The group provides BPA representation to ESPO, and is currently involved with European Commission’s port policy consultation exercise.

Leisure

The marine leisure market in the UK increasingly contributes to local economies around Britain’s coastline. Its value has been estimated at anywhere up to £2.2bn as a contribution to the tourism industry, and a survey found it provides around 30,000 in 5,000 related businesses. The majority of leisure activities take place at smaller ports, which face particular challenges. The Association’s Regional Ports Working Group brings together representatives to discuss the issues facing smaller ports, with a standing Leisure agenda item at each meeting.

Fishing

A forum for members with fish auctions and markets. The fishing industry has been hit hard by closures and restrictions on days at sea with a detrimental impact on landside support industries, including fishing ports. The group discusses the aid available to be extended to converting port facilities from fishing to alternate uses, or for rejuvenating local fishing industry. This group also feeds into government policy through DEFRA and SEERAD, while also working closely with SEAFISH on standards and quality controls in fish markets.

Ferries

A working group formed to represent specialist passenger and ro-ro port interests and ensure that border controls do not have a negative impact on this traffic. It is at the forefront in negotiations with the agencies under the banner of the Border Agencies Working Group (BAWG) and is also currently involved in the Border Management Programme and the implementation of e-Borders.

Marine & Pilotage

The BPA and United Kingdom Major Ports Group cooperate to run the Marine & Pilotage working group, which provides a pool of marine expertise advise on navigational safety, radio communications, oil spill plans, waste management facilities, and Vessel Traffic Management (VTM). The Group has been involved in updating the Code of Practice for the Safe Boarding and Landing of Pilots and is an invaluable interface between the Association and bodies such as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the ongoing development of the Port Marine Safety Code.

Dredging and Engineering

The Dredging and Engineering Working Group is another joint working group the BPA runs with the UKMPG. It exists expressly to provide a resource for engineers at ports to meet and discuss areas of common interest, and to communicate examples of engineering best practice. The group meets twice annually, at member ports and regularly receives presentations from technical specialists.