News and Events

BPA Response to PWC Study on Trust Ports

The BPA has now had the opportunity to look at the recommendations of the PWC report into trusts in detail. Our main conclusions are:-

•The report is a useful basis to take the trust model forward, although it requires further detailed discussion.

•A “stakeholder dividend” could be developed; as there is such a diversity of businesses its content will vary from port to port and will require further work and elaboration.

•It is possible for trusts to produce efficiency indicators as a means of measuring their own performance rather than their performance as a group; the report’s comparators demonstrate the extreme difficulty of producing meaningful data.

•The current “Modernising Trust Port” guidelines require revision.

•The DfT should not involve itself in decisions which boards have been appointed to take.

As part of its programme to establish a new system for managing the seas around the UK, DEFRA has been consulting on a Marine White Paper.

Ted Sangster, Chairman of the British Ports Association (BPA) and Chief Executive of Milford Haven Port Authority, has welcomed the publication of a report by Pricewaterhouse Coopers on the trust port sector which was commissioned by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The Environmental Contacts group brings together a range of ports industry representatives and environmental experts to discuss issues of common interest, and to consider some of the broader aspects of port environmental management.

Presentations from the Environmental Contacts Group meeting in Felixstowe are available.

The BPA 2006 Review was launched at the AGM on 20 March. Introducing the document, BPA Chairman Ted Sangster noted that:

“The last twelve months have reinforced two facts: that ports and shipping underpin the UK economy, and that successful ports must be anchored in the wider transport network to achieve the maximum economic benefit for wider society. These points came out again and again as the BPA responded to the national and devolved administrations’ review of ports and wider transport policy.

We had a highly successful AGM at the Drapers’ Hall on 20 March attended by the Minister of State for Transport, Dr Stephen Ladyman. The Minister took the opportunity to award the first Leading Lights certificates to Port of Workington, Whitstable Harbour and River Hamble. Attached are copies of the Chairman’s speech and two Press Releases.

The Minister’s speech is also available.

The BPA has responded to the EU’s maritime green paper consultation

Last summer the DfT published the Opportunities for ports in local authority ownership: A review of municipal ports in England and Wales, alongside its wider review of ports policy.

The BPA has issued a press release in response to the House of Commons Transport Committe report on the ports industry, which was published on 24 January and is available on the House of Commons Committee website. Parts of the release were quoted in Lloyd’s List on Wednesday 24th January.

In December 2006 the BPA made a written response to the Scottish Parliament’s inquiry into the Marine Environment.