The shipping and maritime minister Nus Ghani opened the UK Chamber of Shipping and British Ports Association one-day conference on decarbonisation last week and talked of the importance of the industry in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The British Ports Association (BPA) outlines key priorities for 2020: Sustainability, energy transition, regional growth, connectivity, innovation, safety, people & skills, regulatory review and port ‘impact’ to be major themes.

The British Ports Association is hosting its first Port Connectivity Summit this spring to focus attention on the investment needed to better connect ports to wider transport infrastructure. This will bring together national and local policy makers to discuss how investment hinterland links to UK ports can be prioritised.

The British Ports Association is today launching it’s ‘fisheries manifesto’ that will boost UK fishing ports and the coastal communities in which they are rooted.

The British Ports Association has today published it’s six key policy priorities for the 2019 UK General Election, focussing on a swift and satisfactory resolution to Brexit, safety, planning, connectivity, making the most of UK maritime, and fisheries.

ABPmer and the British Ports Association have today published a white paper highlighting how masterplanning can contribute to genuine growth in coastal regions as well as help ports communicate their strategies and visions to stakeholders. Recognising the ports industry as an important economic driver, the paper intends to help local, regional and national planners become aware of the potential of masterplans.

New figures published this week show the Scottish Maritime sector directly supports nearly £10 billion in turnover and 41,000 jobs

Commenting on the horrific situation in Essex, Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association said:

Last week, Policy and Economic Analyst for the BPA, Phoebe Warneford-Thomson, attended the Scottish National Party’s 85th Annual Conference in Aberdeen. The event was held at The Event Complex Aberdeen, a brand new, expansive event complex just outside Aberdeen city centre; which, incidentally, is the site where the BPA 2020 Conference will be held. The key themes of the conference were not surprising; with much discussion of Britain’s exit from the European Union, the failings of the Westminster Parliament and the SNP’s continued pursuit of independence. Though it was welcome to see how Scotland’s maritime industry was often considered within the context of these themes; especially with regards to the resolution on Developing Maritime Trade.

British Ports Association highlights community impact projects at UK ports. The British Ports Association is today publishing a collection of case studies demonstrating the work that ports across the UK are doing with their local communities. This includes the establishment of community projects from Aberdeen to London; as well as smaller ports, such as those owned by Cornwall Council or those that are community run, such as Tobermory Harbour Association.