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BPA in Parliament: New PM Must Focus on Stability; Relentless Focus on Business Environment Needed; Warning on Open-Loop Scrubbers

The Chairman of the British Ports Association has called for a return to stability and a relentless focus on building a business environment that supports investment and skills. Martin Lawlor, BPA Chairman and Chief Executive of the Port of Blyth, spoke to an audience of MPs, Peers, and industry representatives at the House of Commons.

BPA Chairman addresses MPs, Peers and industry representatives:

Brexit: A quick and satisfactory resolution to Brexit needed followed by a return to stability
Business Environment: Relentless focus on ensuring that the business environment is one where businesses can invest and grow, with access to the skills they need
Climate Change & scrubbers: Ports and shipping very much part of the solution to UK decarbonisation challenges; concerns growing around use of open-loop scrubbers in ports

The Chairman of the British Ports Association has called for a return to stability and a relentless focus on building a business environment that supports investment and skills.

Martin Lawlor, BPA Chairman and Chief Executive of the Port of Blyth, spoke to an audience of MPs, Peers, and industry representatives at the House of Commons. He said:

“The British Ports Association would now like to see a return to stability. Soon the country will have a new leader, and we hope Brexit will be resolved soon after that. We must then have a relentless focus on ensuring that the business environment is one where businesses can invest and grow, with access to the skills they need.

We are not just enablers of trade but the foundation of the entire blue economy, supporting the safe navigation of vessels from jet skis to oil tankers and doing so independently and at no cost to the taxpayer.

Shipping remains the most efficient way to move freight – whether it be from Brazil to the UK or from England to Scotland. We are part of the solution to climate change, not part of the problem.

That’s why we want to explore how moving freight by water can help the UK meet its climate change targets, whilst at the same time supporting coastal prosperity. Two thirds of the UK live within 10 miles of the coast and we have a large number of world-class ports to support this aim.”

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Responding to recent global developments regarding the use of open-loop scrubbers, Mr Lawlor warned that the ports industry is becoming increasingly concerned about the potential for contamination building up in berths and navigation channels. Commenting on the ongoing debate, he called for robust evidence to be brought forward to allay these fears. He said:

“Ports take their environmental responsibilities seriously and with IMO targets ships will have some tough decisions. However we must have a grown up conversation about the implications of the use of open loop scrubbers in ports. There is a concern that such systems could lead to the build up of contaminated sediments which over time could cause a real issue for ports wishing to maintain and develop their operations.”

Click here for the full speech [PDF].

Harry Theochari, Chairman of Maritime UK also addressed the meeting. Mr Theochari highlighted research for the BPA that found there is £1.7bn of port infrastructure investment in the pipeline and called on Government to ensure it does its part by supporting better port connectivity and a better planning system. He went on to say that the industry must capitalise on the increased profile of the sector.

Mr Theochari is global head of transport at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright.

Notes
1. The British Ports Association Annual UK Parliamentary Reception was held on 4th June 2019 in the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion.