UK Chamber of Shipping - Experts & Thought Leaders

The UK Chamber of Shipping’s new conference Shipping UK, and London International Shipping Week. (LISW) have announced a partnership as Supporting Organisations for the coming future. Both parties have agreed to support each other with marketing and PR support to help establish Shipping UK and help grow LISW domestically as well as internationally. Shipping UK Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO and co-founder of LISW said, “The UK Chamber of Shipping originated almost 150 years ago and has long been held in the highest esteem both in the UK and abroad, and its forward-looking ambitions and sharp focus on thought leadership in the shipping sector dovetail perfectly with the ethos of London International Shipping Week." "Its inaugural conference on 8 October will help ensure that the dialogue remains current and relevant in each of the fallow years between future LISWs, and I am looking forward to a long, strong, and mutually successful partnership.” Addressing key maritime issues Rhett Hatcher (pictured), CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said, “We aim to establish our Shipping UK conference in the alternate years between LISWs. This will help the industry to continue discussing key issues in London and give UK Chamber members and non-members, the opportunity to come together and network." “While Shipping UK offers a completely different event to the very successful LISW, we see great synergy in helping each other raise the profile of these important industry events, and becoming ‘Supporting Organisations’ seems a great way to achieve this,” he added. Shipping UK will take place on October 8th at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.  LISW25 London International Shipping Week 2025 (LISW25) will play host to the maritime world in the week of 15-19 September 2025, with hundreds of events attracting thousands of international industry decision-makers to London. The variety of in-person events will be the broadest yet, while the competition is already heating up among sponsors eager to organise the most attractive networking events at the most glamourous venues in London.

Global maritime leaders sailed full steam ahead into London in their thousands to attend the biennial London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23), which took place from 11th September to 15th September, 2023. More than 70 countries were represented by the 30,000 delegates, while a large number of overseas trade delegations met with UK Government officials as London and the UK underlined their importance in the global supply chain. London International Shipping Week 2023 (LISW23) At the start of LISW23 (Monday, 11th September), the Government outlined how coastal communities across the country are set to benefit from over £80 million of funding, also announcing the winners of the Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure fund (ZEVI). On 14th September, the UK Transport Secretary unveiled a new package of clean maritime measures And on Thursday, 14th September, the UK Transport Secretary unveiled a new package of clean maritime measures, which aim to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in the UK’s transport sector, while boosting economic growth. Maritime UK's second Annual Report Maritime UK utilised LISW23 to publish the second Annual Report into its Government-backed ‘Regional Cluster Development Programme’ at the Global Maritime Hub, while speaking at the LISW23 Regional Showcase event, Maritime Minister - Baroness Vere announced a £1 million fund to support the work of dynamic and focused regional cluster organisations charged with the delivery of Maritime 2050 in their localities. Transport Secretary - Mark Harper, said: “London International Shipping Week is the perfect time to showcase the work we’re doing to generate maritime jobs across the country and develop new, clean technologies.” London’s expertise in shipping services highlighted London’s expertise in shipping services was highlighted through the more than 350 events, which took place during the packed LISW23 week in a myriad of impressive and iconic venues including: No 10 Downing Street; the UK Houses of Parliament; International Maritime Organization’s headquarters; The Shard; The Gherkin; the London Stock Exchange; several Livery Halls; the Churchill War Rooms; Lloyd’s of London; the offices of many of the world’s top law firms; the In and Out Club in Piccadilly; the Little Ship Club; Trinity House; Tower Bridge Walkway; Inmarsat’s UKHQ; and the QEII Conference Centre. VIP receptions were hosted at Lancaster House, Mansion House, the Cyprus High Commission, and the residences of the Ambassadors of France and Belgium. Strong nautical flavour apparent at LISW23 The strong nautical flavour was apparent in the number of unique ships that also hosted events The strong nautical flavour was apparent in the number of unique ships that also hosted events, including THV Galatea, HMS Belfast, Erasmus, Type 23 frigate - HMS Iron Duke, the Golden Hinde, the historic Havengore, which bore Churchill’s coffin, and Artemis Technologies’ innovative electric workboat - Pioneer of Belfast. High level UK support was apparent – from the Government-hosted VIP reception, attended by HRH The Princess Royal in her role as patron of Maritime UK, to the 16 Ministerial speeches delivered over the week. In all, the Department for Transport was involved in more than 80 events, with the Department for Business and Trade, the Foreign Office, and the Scottish Office also taking part. The UK Chamber of Shipping advised during LISW23 that the value of shipping to the UK economy is 650,000 jobs, with every job in shipping supporting 10 more in the wider economy, and £1.1 trillion worth of trade. Crucial issues discussed at LISW23 include decarbonisation Among the crucial issues discussed during LISW23 were decarbonisation and the protection of marine environments, innovation and technology, seafarer safety and well-being, equality and diversity, cyber security and AI, and numerous legal, insurance and trade matters in relation to global shipping and the supply chain. In excess of 700 delegates registered for the LISW23 Headline Conference at the IMO, during which retiring IMO Secretary-General - Kitack Lim was presented with a nautical barometer and wished ‘fair winds and following seas’. Also present at this event were more than 40 media representing national, international and trade press. Media coverage figures show a worldwide audience  Media coverage figures indicate a potential worldwide audience of more than a billion people Media coverage figures indicate a potential worldwide audience of more than a billion people, while the LISW23 official website handled more than 30 million hits. Social media during the week was flooded with the hashtag #LISW23, as the maritime community shared its news and views. LISW23 concluded with a glittering Gala Dinner attended by 1500 people at Evolution London, in Battersea Park. Hosting for the first time, this impressive location, together with the first-ever LISW After Party, proved popular with delegates, who were also able to return to London via a fleet of specially chartered Thames Clipper Uber Boats, kindly sponsored by ShipMoney. The Gala Dinner also raised much-needed funds for the four official LISW23 maritime charities. LISW23 event surpasses all expectations Reviewing a phenomenally successful week, Sean Moloney, the Co-Founder of London International Shipping Week, said: “The strength of London International Shipping Week is bringing together industry leaders from across the globe to examine in detail the most crucial issues facing international shipping and world trade. This 2023 LISW, in our tenth anniversary year, surpassed all expectations.” LISW Co-Founder, Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, said: “What a week this was, and definitely the most international of the six LISWs that we’ve held so far. It was excellent to see so many industry decision makers networking at the myriad of events and amazing venues throughout the week.”

Coastal communities across the country are set to benefit from over £80 million of government funding as the winners of the Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure fund (ZEVI) are announced – supporting economic growth and boosting the UK’s decarbonisation efforts. Announced at the start of London International Shipping Week (LISW) – bringing together the world leaders in the maritime sector – the projects showcase the benefits maritime technology can bring to communities from Orkney to Portsmouth. Generating maritime jobs Whether it’s Artemis Technologies which is demonstrating inter-island electric ferries, helping boost regional connectivity and economic opportunity, or Tidal Transit Ltd, which is electrifying a crew transfer vessel for offshore wind farms and enabling greener sustainable energy, winners have a crucial role to play in cleaning up the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels. Winners have a crucial role to play in cleaning up the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “London International Shipping Week is the perfect time to showcase the work we’re doing to generate maritime jobs across the country and develop new, clean technologies. Today’s winners are at the cutting edge of the nation’s maritime industry – a crucial part of this government’s plan to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the UK.” Influx of artificial intelligence Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said: “The maritime sector’s drive towards a cleaner future goes hand in hand with the government’s plan to grow the economy and create new, well-paid jobs all over the UK. As a seafaring nation, it is in our national character to push nautical limits and this funding will help to ensure the UK maintains its position at the leading edge of maritime innovation. I look forward to seeing all the industry has to offer over the course of London International Shipping Week.” London International Shipping Week, which runs from 11 September to 15 September, is one of the most important international shipping and maritime events in the world. Having grown consistently – and rapidly – since its conception in September 2013, this year’s event is the 10th anniversary and will explore the future of maritime with decarbonisation and the influx of artificial intelligence. Innovation and economic growth This welcome funding is a chance to build on this strong foundation and help shipping deliver further jobs" The Transport Secretary will view one of Artemis Technologies’ clean vessels on the River Thames this morning, before chairing a roundtable at No. 10 Downing Street with senior representatives from maritime, technology and academia on artificial intelligence in maritime and the opportunities it presents for economic growth. The Maritime Minister will also be attending events throughout the week. Sarah Treseder, CEO of UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “The number of applications meant hard decisions had to be made but shows the strong desire to reduce emissions across the sector and the successful projects will be a crucial element in the journey to net zero. Published today, our Value of Shipping report shows that 650,000 jobs are dependent on shipping with every job in shipping supporting 10 more in the wider economy. This welcome funding is a chance to build on this strong foundation and help shipping deliver further jobs, innovation and economic growth in all parts of the UK.” Green industrial revolution Maritime UK CEO, Chris Shirling-Rooke, said: “Britain has always been an island of maritime pioneers. The winners of today’s fund and the global leadership on show during London International Shipping Week shows this tradition will continue long into the future.” The industry is working closer than ever with government to decarbonise, drive economic growth" “But while London hosts maritime leaders across the world, our coastal communities play an equally significant part in this story. They are the UK’s gateways to the world and through maritime they can have a high-tech and highly skilled future as engine rooms of our green industrial revolution. The industry is working closer than ever with government to decarbonise, drive economic growth and ensure we remain the world’s natural home for maritime.” Reducing carbon emissions The multi-million-pound ZEVI fund, launched in February, is designed to take tech from the factory to the sea by supporting projects that have a long-term impact in reducing carbon emissions. Successful projects must show they could use this money to work with major UK ports and operators to launch a zero-emission vessel by 2025 at the latest. One project on the south coast of England, the Zero Emission Network of Workboats, claims their work will deliver savings of 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) over the span of the 3-year demonstration. That’s a saving equivalent to 113,000km driven by an HGV – saving millions of tonnes of CO2 if implemented around the world. Emission-free postal service Portsmouth International Port has predicted the funding it’s receiving will help to deliver its 20-year plan  This funding will also support an emission-free postal service through Thames Clipper’s project to use a 100% electric fast vessel to deliver Amazon parcels from Dartford to Tower Bridge Quay. Hundreds of jobs are being supported thanks to ZEVI with the resulting R&D helping the sector shift its energy source away from fossil fuels. Portsmouth International Port has predicted the funding it’s receiving will help to deliver its 20-year plan and grow its employment from just under 6,000 to just over 40,000 while Collins River Enterprises has forecasted a boost in job numbers by up to 800 thanks to today’s funding. Ambitious sustainability goals Mike Sellers, director of Portsmouth International Port, said: “As a port owned by the people of Portsmouth, we have a duty to ensure that we grow sustainably and for the benefit of our local communities. I’m proud of our ambitious sustainability goals and this project will see us be able to not only provide shore power for ships on 3 of our berths but also provide power for the hybrid Brittany Ferries ships coming in 2025.” As a port owned by the people of Portsmouth, we have a duty to ensure that we grow sustainably" “We’re looking forward to working with the Department for Transport and Innovate UK to realise the full potential of this project for the UK and the shipping industry. I’d like to thank my team at the port and our partners in the Sea Change consortium for all their hard work in getting this bid over the line. This is a ground-breaking project that will not only benefit the city and the wider region but also the planet, by slashing carbon emissions, improving air quality and providing new high-skilled jobs.” Sustainable shipping future Christophe Mathieu, CEO of Brittany Ferries, said: “The arrival of 2 LNG-hybrid ships in spring 2025, will be the climax of the biggest fleet renewal programme in our history. Upon arrival, the vessels will be good neighbours to those who live and work around Portsmouth, the busiest port in our network. Furthermore, thanks to ZEVI funding, their plug-in potential will be unlocked from day one and I can’t think of a better place to celebrate this fantastic news than the start of LISW.” The ZEVI fund is part of the UK SHORE programme, launched in March 2022 with £206 million in funding. UK SHORE aims to tackle shipping emissions and advance the UK towards a sustainable shipping future. Electric foiling vessels They are one of the global titans in developing sustainable maritime solutions" Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said:  “As we look forward to the innovation which will be showcased at this week’s Northern Ireland Investment Summit, I am delighted to see innovative Belfast company Artemis Technologies receive this funding. I am a huge admirer of their ambition to decarbonise maritime transport as they build on Belfast’s maritime heritage and world-leading expertise in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy.” “Their project ‘Electric Orkney’ aims to decarbonise inter-island transport through the commissioning of two Artemis 100% electric foiling vessels and charging infrastructure. They are one of the global titans in developing sustainable maritime solutions and this project will play a crucial role in the UK Government’s net-zero commitments.” Low carbon technology UK Government Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “The UK has a proud maritime history and it’s great to see Scotland at the heart of so many of these innovative projects.” “The £49.6 million of UK Government funding will benefit communities in Orkney – with 2 new electric ferries – and Aberdeen through the introduction of low carbon technology to its maritime sector. The environment, connectivity and economic growth will all benefit from this substantial investment.”