The British Ports Association (BPA) has launched a new information resource for UK ports dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. The ports industry undertakes a vital role in the UK economy, facilitating trade, fuel, energy, fishing, recreation and tourism. All tiers of Government and the industry are committed to UK ports staying open to help sustain the country during this challenging time.

The BPA is calling on Government to broaden the scope of testing and ensure that those working to keep the country supplied with imported food, energy and medicines are protected.

Responding to the publication of the Government’s policy paper on its new Emergency Bill the British Ports Association has said that keeping the UK’s global gateways open for trade should be a priority.

Responding to the Budget speech today, Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association said…..

The British Ports Association (BPA) has published an agenda that outlines the ports industry’s requests of government for the coming years.

The British ports industry is requesting further support for port health authorities to prevent COVID-19 spreading and impacting businesses. As the number of new confirmed cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus grows, particularly in mainland Europe, the British Ports Association (BPA) has today written to the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP to outline the UK port sector’s growing concerns.

Following the publication of the UK’s Government’s approach to the EU trade negotiations, the British Ports Association’s Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne said:

As the implications of the Wuhan Coronavirus become clear, ports and maritime law firm Hill Dickinson, an Associate Member of the British Ports Association (BPA), has published a short paper on the virus and its potential implications on the UK ports sector as part of the BPA’s Port Futures Programme. The Programme is a series of papers considering emerging and innovative trends in the port sector. This article is part of a forthcoming wider piece of work from Hill Dickinson and the BPA examining the potential impacts of pandemics on ports.

British Ports Association Welcomes New Maritime Minister: Best brief in Government but huge challenges ahead.

Following the Health Secretary’s statement this morning that Coronavirus represents ”serious and imminent threat” to public health, the British Ports Association is calling for more funding and support to be given to UK local authority officials to prepare our borders.