Associated British Ports - Experts & Thought Leaders

Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton have embarked on a project with Hampshire based environmental monitoring specialists OceanWise, to provide a solution for current monitoring on the South Bramble navigation buoy. ABP, who have been a customer of OceanWise for nearly 10 years, needed to collect current monitoring data at the South Bramble buoy to provide additional data to pilots on their Portable Pilot Units (PPUs). This data, which will sit alongside the range of other environmental data that ABP already collects and will enhance and assist in important situational awareness of the water current conditions at this key location in the Solent. Smart telemetry solution After initial consultation, OceanWise installed a Nortek Aquadopp current profiler onto the existing navigation buoy structure at South Bramble. The OceanWise engineers made a couple of tweaks and along with their normal rigorous installation checks, ensured the sensor is sited appropriately below the water surface and ensured that the power and telemetry systems could be accommodated. OceanWise installed a Nortek Aquadopp current profiler onto the existing navigation buoy structure  The Aquadopp, which is a highly versatile single point current meter, will monitor the water column at various intervals to give a full picture of any deviations in current at different layers. This data will be transmitted via AIS using OceanWise’s smart telemetry solution and be available to users within ABP Southampton’s Port-Log portal, which is used extensively by the Port Group for maritime operations and environmental data management. Environmental data management “Having the ability to visualise how the water currents are behaving at intervals throughout the water column is invaluable for our Pilots when maneuvering large vessels through a restricted channel which requires precise navigation, which is now assisted by accurate environmental data from below the water surface,” said Sam Quilliam, Principal Hydrographic Surveyor, ABP Southampton. “Nortek are delighted OceanWise selected the well-established Aquadopp sensor to deliver high-quality current measurements to their online systems. The real-time data will be used as part of providing better situational awareness and thus improving the safety and efficiency of operations in the port. We look forward to further collaboration with OceanWise in the near future” said Scott Gray, UK Managing Director , Nortek.

With the revised International Maritime Organisation’s Green House Gas (GHG) Strategy now targeting a reduction of GHG emissions from international shipping to net-zero by close to 2050, there will be intense focus during London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) on how this can be achieved and where changes need to be made. Many event organisers have announced they will be looking directly at these challenges during their LISW23 events. Here are just some examples: Zero Emissions The ShipZERO Conference, taking place over two days, will be grappling with issues as wide-ranging as how to identify True Zero Emissions hotspots, fuel delivery solutions, offshore hydrogen production and the emergence of new renewable solutions. Also under scrutiny will be the investment outlook, hybrid systems integration and Zero Emissions vessels already under construction. Crewing Taking a look at how crew will be affected by the move to alternative fuels is The Seafarers Hospital Society whose webinar ‘Decarbonisation: Sustainability & Crewing Enroute to 2050’ will feature speakers from Ocean Technologies Group, AST Shipping, The Seafarers Hospital Society and Kongsberg Maritime. The webinar will examine future crewing needs looking at all onboard operations and any emerging health & safety risks. Also taking on the crewing perspective is The Bahamas Maritime Authority Also taking on the crewing perspective is The Bahamas Maritime Authority whose seminar will focus more closely on the specific training that will be required to operate future ships and the personnel risk when using alternative fuels. Decarbonisation in the UK The UK’s net zero objectives feature in a number of events with Associated British Ports looking at the importance of shipped renewable energy and how it might be traded, while Norton Rose Fulbright will be discussing the role that carbon capture and storage might play in the future. London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, the Director of Shipping Innovation and Co-Founder of LISW is impressed with the breadth of conversations that will be taking place during the week. Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes stated, “Events have been planned to look at decarbonisation issues from every angle. But that is also the case for the many other topics featuring during LISW23. The calendar is growing daily with hot topics including diversity, sustainability, ship building, vessel design, AI and future technologies. Every sector of maritime will be represented this year in London.”

Maritime UK, the umbrella organisation for the UK’s maritime sector, has appointed Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will move over from Mersey Maritime to Maritime UK in the early summer and Maritime UK thanks Mersey Maritime for helping to facilitate a seamless transfer. Chris Shirling-Rooke is currently CEO of Mersey Maritime, a maritime regional cluster organisation based in the Liverpool City Region. In this role, he has championed the importance of maritime around the coast of the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland as a key driver of the Maritime 2050 strategy. He has led work to build out the ‘coastal powerhouse’ agenda, which matters so much both to industry and government. Extensive industry experience Chris Shirling-Rooke has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mersey Maritime since 2013 Chris Shirling-Rooke has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mersey Maritime since 2013 and has led a small professional team whose role is to support members business growth, highlight the breadth and diversity of the sector and strengthen local supply chains by building relationships across companies of all sizes – from ports and global shipping lines to engineering firms and innovative start-ups. He was appointed MBE in 2021 for services to maritime. Commenting on Chris’ appointment, the Chair of Maritime UK, Robin Mortimer said: “I am delighted that Chris will be joining Maritime UK, the umbrella body representing the maritime sector, as the new CEO. He brings a track record of leadership and commitment in promoting maritime and the crucial role the sector plays in the life of the UK.” Ensuring the UK is a major maritime nation on the global stage Robin Mortimer adds, “Chris will be focused on delivering on behalf of all Maritime UK’s members. He is passionate about the sector making a positive impact economically, socially and environmentally and ensuring the UK remains a leading maritime nation on the global stage.” Commenting, Chris Shirling-Rooke said: “It is an incredible honour for me to take on this new position and to build on the fantastic work already delivered by the Maritime UK team on behalf of its members, stakeholders and the industry as whole. Major overarching challenges face our sector which supports over 1 million jobs, contributes over £46 billion to our economy and is responsible for facilitating 95% of UK global trade.” Delivering on the UK’s Clean Maritime Plan I look forward to working with our members and all colleagues as we deliver our shared priorities" Chris Shirling-Rooke adds, “Our response to climate change and how we influence the delivery of key initiatives such as the Clean Maritime Plan, due to be published later this year, will be a major focus, as well as ensuring we maximise the opportunity presented by London International Shipping Week in September to showcase our dynamic industry to the whole world. I look forward to working with our members and all colleagues as we deliver our shared priorities and ensure the voice of maritime is heard at the highest levels.” John Hulmes, the Chairman of Mersey Maritime, said: “Chris leaves Mersey Maritime on a high having made a huge contribution to the numerous and often complex outcomes we are involved in and has, at a time of great maritime opportunity, raised our profile regionally, nationally and internationally.” John Hulmes continues, “Mersey Maritime is the voice of the industry in the region and Chris has led his team with vigour, elan and innovation. The Mersey Maritime Board wishes Chris every success in his new role and look forward to continuing to work with him to further the interests of the industry and enterprise. We will announce our new CEO in due course.” Maritime UK - the umbrella body for the maritime sector Maritime UK is the umbrella body for the maritime sector, bringing together the shipping, ports, services, engineering and leisure marine industries. Its purpose is to champion and enable a thriving maritime sector. Maritime UK has responsibility for the coordination and delivery of industry recommendations within Maritime 2050. Its members are Belfast Maritime Consortium, British Marine, British Ports Association, CLIA UK & Ireland, Connected Places Catapult, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Maritime London, Maritime UK South West, Mersey Maritime, Nautilus International, Port Skills and Safety, Shipping Innovation, Society of Maritime Industries, Solent LEP, The Baltic Exchange, The Seafarers’ Charity, The Workboat Association, Trinity House, UK Chamber of Shipping and the UK Major Ports Group.