The British Ports Association has welcomed the renewed focus on role that ports play in regional and national UK economies in a new report on ‘Supercharged Free Ports’ published today….

The British Ports Association has welcomed the publication of the temporary customs arrangement, known as the Government’s ‘Customs Backstop’.

As the European ports industry gathers in Rotterdam this week for the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Annual Conference, the British Ports Association has urged the UK Government to ensure that public transport and infrastructure funding are increased post-Brexit to help UK freight operators and ports compete.

The British Ports Association has responded to the Government’s Clean Air Strategy which was published today and includes requirements for all major ports in England to develop air quality plans within the next year.

A view from Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive, British Ports Association A very public debate over the UK’s future customs arrangements has been playing out on the nation’s airwaves and on the front pages of our newspapers for much of the last week….

Ahead of the expected third and final tranche of Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) designations in English waters, the British Ports Association has called on Environment Secretary Michael Gove to review the impact of all existing management measures on port operations and urgently examine the implications a specific designation which could lead to a ban on anchoring of commercial and recreational ships as well as fishing activities within a statutory harbour area.

With the freight and logistics industry gathered in Birmingham at this year’s Multimodal exhibition, the British Ports Association has renewed calls for a new UK freight strategy and the further consideration of coastal shipping opportunities.

Following the publication of a study today (Monday) by the British Chambers of Commerce and the Port of Dover, which found that many importers and exporters are not preparing for changes to customs procedures after Brexit, the British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne suggested:

The British Ports Association has today elected Alec Don, Chief Executive of Milford Haven Port Authority, as Chairman for a two year term, at its Annual General Meeting in London.

The BPA has welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s Port Connectivity Study; ‘Transport Infrastructure for our global future’, but suggested that investment guarantees, support and guidance for local planners and a new overarching freight strategy would be needed for Government to deliver on many of the report’s recommendations.