UK Chamber of Shipping - Experts & Thought Leaders

Fuels of the future and shipping charge points in harbours are at the centre of a major new strategy to make Britain’s shipping fleet net zero by 2050 and drive growth in coastal communities. The Maritime Minister has revealed the Government’s new goals for all vessels that operate in UK waters and dock at UK ports to be carbon-free and help vessel owners, operators and scientists make emission-free voyages a reality. Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy sets out goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 Part of the Government’s Plan for Change to propel the UK towards becoming a green energy superpower and drive growth, the new Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy sets out goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, 80% by 2040 and to zero by 2050.  This will see the UK match the highest level of the ambitious goals agreed at the International Maritime Organization in their 2023 Strategy on Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emission from Ships. Investment in green technologies Investment in green technologies and fuels will cement the UK as a clean energy superpower and encourage a green economic revival at the local level, helping to build high-skilled jobs in coastal communities, delivering a local boon to cities and towns. Under the new strategy, the shipping sector will be brought under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS). This will see operators of larger vessels such as tankers and cruises – which cause the most pollution - pay more for their greenhouse gas emissions. New green shipping technologies The strategy sets out plans to reduce emissions from shipping and raise the use of clean fuels Furthermore, the strategy sets out plans to reduce emissions from shipping and increase the use of clean fuels and technologies, such as hydrogen, electric or ammonia vessels. Later, the Minister will launch the new strategy in Portsmouth with vessel chargeport pioneer ABB and demonstrate how these new green shipping technologies will bring in private investment, create thousands more jobs, and revitalise coastal communities. Such investment has already seen growth in coastal regions, with the £206m of UK Shore funding having already supported over 300 organisations across every nation and region in the UK, and secured over £100 million of private investment, helping to kickstart economic growth. Climate change Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges we face today. Working together with industry and international partners, we are driving down emissions in every corner of the economy." “As part of our Plan for Change, we’re committed to making the UK a green energy superpower, and our Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy will help us build a cleaner, more resilient maritime nation.”  Net zero with ambitious targets The government has launched two calls for proof to help inform the growth of measures In addition, the Government is also launching two calls for evidence now to help inform the development of measures needed to reduce emissions at berth, understand the future energy demand at ports and decarbonise smaller vessels.  Richard Ballantyne OBE, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, said: “We welcome today's announcement. UK ports are already demonstrating their commitment to net zero with ambitious targets and investment in new technologies and fuels." Investment and decarbonisation for vessels Ballantyne added: "The UK SHORE programme shows what can be achieved when government and industry work together on shared goals." "We will continue to work closely with the Department for Transport on lowering barriers to investment and decarbonisation for both ports and vessels and this strategy will help set a clear direction and expectations well into the future. We look forward to a continued close partnership built on common aims.” Challenge and opportunity for the maritime sector Chris Shirling-Rooke, Chief Executive of Maritime UK, said: “Decarbonisation is both an enormous challenge and opportunity for the maritime sector, with huge potential for growth, jobs and innovation in our coastal communities, and across the whole of the United Kingdom."  "It is vital that our country continues to drive change and chase growth by creating a cleaner and more sustainable future. We welcome the Government’s commitment today and look forward to continuing to work with them on the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy.” Zero emissions vessels and infrastructure Mike Sellers, Director of Portsmouth International Port, said: “We welcome the announcement of the new Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, which the port’s masterplan very much aligns with. To help achieve this ambition, we’re on track to become the UK’s first multi-berth, multi-ship ‘chargeport’ by providing renewable plug-in energy when ships are alongside from Spring 2025." "The Seachange shore power project, demonstrates the success of both public and private investment, supported by the government’s zero emissions vessels and infrastructure (ZEVI) fund, driving innovation towards net zero. We’re pleased to show the minister what’s happening in Portsmouth and how this could be a model for ports across the country.” Net zero emissions by 2050 Rhett Hatcher, CEO of the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “The UK Chamber is proud to have led the way on decarbonisation, publicly calling for the global shipping industry to reach net zero emissions by 2050, prior to the UK Government and IMO Commitments." "Across our sector, we have already invested in new technologies and pioneering innovations to meet our commitments and are pioneering the drive towards net zero. We therefore welcome the Government’s publication of the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, as a much-needed successor to the 2019 Clean Maritime Plan." Green transition for UK maritime Hatcher added: “The Government’s strategy must now be matched by delivering the regulatory framework, technology and infrastructure, including a shore power revolution, required to support the green transition for UK maritime, bringing benefits to maritime communities and the UK economy." "We look forward to working collaboratively alongside the government to progress this important agenda and reach our shared goals of a cleaner, more resilient maritime sector in the UK.” Reduce emissions from global shipping Anna Krajinska, UK Director at Transport & Environment (T&E), said: "T&E welcomes the government's commitment to reduce shipping emissions by 30% by 2030, 80% by 2040 and net zero by 2050. It is crucial that ambitious targets are coupled with robust policy measures to slash the UK’s domestic and international shipping emissions without delay." With global shipping accounting for 2% of all emissions, the UK will push for high ambitions at the UN’s next meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in April, as it develops important measures to reduce emissions from global shipping.

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.”