Port of London Authority (PLA) - Experts & Thought Leaders

Regional cluster organisation, Mersey Maritime are delighted to announce that they have surpassed their initial pledge of £20,000 for The Hive Youth Zone, a local charity providing essential support for disadvantaged youth. The impressive sum of £43,700 was raised as part of Mersey Maritime’s 20-year anniversary celebrations. Just over 12 months ago, Mersey Maritime pledged to support The Hive Youth Zone. Located just a short distance from Mersey Maritime’s headquarters in Birkenhead, The Hive serves as a purpose-built centre for young people, offering a safe haven and a vibrant hub of activities for some of the region’s most vulnerable youngsters. Personal and anonymous donations In the Liverpool City Region alone, maritime is worth £5bn a year in GVA (Gross Value Added) and supports tens of thousands of jobs. Yet coastal communities remain amongst the most disadvantaged in the UK. In the Liverpool City Region alone, maritime is worth £5bn a year in GVA  During the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards 2023, hosted by local talent Sam Quek MBE, ten companies were invited to pledge £1,000 each towards the fundraising initiative to help the Hive provide hot meals throughout winter. However, the total raised on the night surpassed all expectations equating to £34,000 which included company, personal and anonymous donations. Over the last year, that brings the total raised by Mersey Maritime and its members to £43,700. Commendable fundraising effort The following companies made significant contributions to this commendable fundraising effort: Bibby Line Group Cammell Laird CMA CGM D Morgan Denholm Logistics Group Hill Dickinson Hughes Subsea Kays Medical Maersk Marine Metallurgical Consultants Ltd Maritime Transport Nautilus International Peel Ports Group Port of London Authority The SeaKing Group Walker Engineering Community growth and investing This outstanding achievement reflects the remarkable generosity of our maritime community" Ruth Wood, CEO at Mersey Maritime commented: “This outstanding achievement reflects the remarkable generosity of our maritime community and its commitment to supporting the well-being of the youth in our region. The funds raised will undoubtedly make a positive impact on the initiatives undertaken by The Hive Youth Zone, which does an incredible job of supporting our local young people.” Ruth Wood adds, “As an organisation deeply rooted in the maritime sector, we understand the importance of fostering community growth and investing in the future. The collaboration and dedication shown by our member companies in this fundraising endeavour demonstrates our mission that we are stronger together.” Surpassing the fundraising goal Catherine Sandow, Head of Fundraising at The Hive, commented: “We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mersey Maritime for their invaluable support. This contribution ensures our ongoing ability to stand by the thousands of young people who rely on us. Latest statistics show that just under 4 million children are living in poverty across the UK, and now with the cost-of-living crisis we are starting to see the devastating effect this is having on local families. We are here to assist young people, irrespective of their circumstances, providing a space for them to simply enjoy, feel included, and elevate their aspirations in a secure environment.” Catherine Sandow adds, “A special thank you goes out to the companies and individuals who generously donated. Now more than ever, our presence is crucial, but we cannot sustain our mission without the backing of businesses that prioritise community at their core. Thank you!” Mersey Maritime extends gratitude to all contributing companies and individuals for their generous support in surpassing the fundraising goal.

The Port of London Authority (PLA) has achieved a major milestone, halving its carbon emissions last year, as it made strong progress in its Net Zero programme. The PLA, which oversees safe operations in the United Kingdom - UK’s busiest port, has committed to achieve Net Zero by 2040, or earlier. Last year’s performance delivered the 50% cut in carbon emissions three years ahead of the original 2025 target. Introduction of sustainable biofuel in vessels fleet The Port of London Authority (PLA) operates more than 20 vessels The introduction of sustainable biofuel, in place of diesel in its fleet of vessels as an interim measure was the key initial step in improving performance. The Port of London Authority (PLA) operates more than 20 vessels, including harbour service launches, driftwood collectors, hydrographic survey vessels and a large mooring maintenance craft. Original PLA target - 50 percent reduction in carbon emissions The original PLA target was a 50 percent reduction in the 2,054 tonnes of carbon emitted across its entire operations in its 2014 baseline year. Before the switch to biofuel, vessel fuel consumption was responsible for more than 75 percent of the PLA’s total carbon emissions. Commenting on progress, Port of London Authority (PLA) Chief Executive, Robin Mortimer, said: “Overseeing safe operations in the UK’s biggest port and busiest inland waterway involves a large number of our team working out on the river.” He adds, “This has traditionally been carbon intensive, with vessels using diesel taking pilots to large ships, patrolling the river, recovering driftwood and maintaining aids to navigation.” Using sustainable biofuels to reduce carbon emissions We’re proud to have made this initial step using sustainable biofuels to reduce carbon emissions" Robin Mortimer continues, “We’re proud to have made this initial step using sustainable biofuels to reduce carbon emissions. This is interim measure is bringing emissions down, while we explore the long-term solution, using alternative fuels.” The Port of London Authority (PLA) has invested more than £120,000 in new steel fuel tanks to store biofuel at three of its bases along the river. The most recent installation, Barrier Gardens Pier, was completed just before Christmas, fully establishing biofuel as part of ‘business as usual’ for the PLA. Use of biofuel, HVO reduces greenhouse gas emissions The use of biofuel, hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO), reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during combustion is offset by the absorption of carbon dioxide during growth of the biomass that forms the biofuel. Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) has been shown also to cut emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulates. Tank installation at Barrier Gardens Pier The tank installation at Barrier Gardens Pier, the PLA’s principal vessel base in the capital, was part of a wider programme. This included a pier extension enabling the largest vessel in the fleet, London Titan to moor there. The pier was fitted with shore power as part of the development work, so that the vessel can operate essential electrical systems when moored, without using its engines to generate power.

Maritime UK, the umbrella organisation for the UK’s maritime sector, has appointed Robin Mortimer as its new Chair and Tom Boardley as Vice Chair. Robin Mortimer was nominated by the British Ports Association and UK Major Ports Group, while Tom Boardley was nominated by the UK Chamber of Shipping. New Chair and Vice Chair appointed Maritime UK will be working closely with the UK government on its refresh to the Clean Maritime Plan Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Port of London Authority, Robin Mortimer was previously Vice Chair and replaced Sarah Kenny, who served as Chair from 2021. Robin Mortimer started his term on 1 January 2023 and will be working with members to help steer the sector through the next two years, with its response to climate change top of the agenda. Maritime UK will be working closely with the UK government on its refresh to the Clean Maritime Plan, due to be published in 2023. Maritime UK’s current priorities Maritime UK’s current priorities are the environment, people, regional growth, competitiveness and innovation and works to bring coherence to the sector’s tasks of government on these shared priorities, as well as delivering programmes and initiatives to help move the dial within each area. Programmes include the Diversity in Maritime programme, careers and outreach programme and Regional Cluster Development programme. Greater understanding of the maritime sector within the UK Commenting on his appointment, Robin Mortimer said “I am honoured to be taking the Chair of Maritime UK and to be given the opportunity to serve the UK's maritime industries at such a crucial time. There is now a much greater appreciation and understanding of the maritime sector within the UK, and how we can support major national missions like, decarbonisation, levelling up and becoming a research and development powerhouse.” Our task over the next two years is to embed that progress, deliver a robust and tangible Clean Maritime Plan" He adds, “Our task over the next two years is to embed that progress, deliver a robust and tangible Clean Maritime Plan, increase the impact of Maritime UK’s programmes in critical areas like people and bang the drum for UK PLC across the world. All of this whilst responding to challenging headwinds caused by underlying economic conditions and geopolitics.” Accelerate the progress toward Maritime 2050 Robin Mortimer continues, “I am convinced that by working closer and closer together our sector will thrive, and I look forward to working with the member community to accelerate our progress toward Maritime 2050.” 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. Maritime UK members 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.