BPA Chairman, Rodney Lunn, Vice Chairman Alec Donn and CEO Richard Ballantyne meet new Ports Minister to discuss sector’s priorities
The British Ports Association (BPA) today met with with new UK Maritime Minister Nus Ghani MP to discuss the current challenges and opportunities facing the UK ports industry. Ms Ghani took up the position following the Government’s January reshuffle and has began meeting representatives from the ports and wider associated maritime communities.
The BPA Chairman, Rodney Lunn, Vice Chairman, Alec Don and CEO Richard Ballantyne met the Minister at Shoreham Port for a first formal introduction to the BPA and the wider ports industry. One the agenda were issues around Brexit such as border checks for Ro-Ro ports, the Port Services Regulation, planning issues and enterprise zoning, port connectivity and UK freight strategy and navigational safety policy.
The British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne welcomed the meeting and opportunity to highlight some issues around planning and trade. Commenting Mr Ballantyne said:
“This was an excellent first meeting with the new Minister. Nus Ghani has already shown her passion and interest in the sector and we are grateful for the early opportunity to outline some of the challenges and opportunities faced by the ports industry. We are pressing for ports to feature in wider Government transport connectivity strategies which are underpinned by financial commitments and have called previously for a long-over-due new freight strategy. Tied into this would be improvements on planning and enterprise and zoning around port areas.”
Rodney Lunn, who is also the Chief Executive of Shoreham Port, hosted the visit along with the Port’s Chair, Amber Foster, and the Minister and Department for Transport officials were also briefed about the workings of a conventional bulk handling port as well as on local issues. Ms Ghani was also able to see the port from an operational perspective, on a tour on one of the harbour’s launch.