Our five minute roundup of key topics affecting UK ports sector this week
Rude Awakening!
Yesterday a man in a picturesque coastal region in Norway was awoken early in the morning to find that a large container ship had ran aground in his garden! Fortunately there were no injuries and the incident, although dramatic, has not led to any serious safety or environmental issues but you might be interested to look at the images and videos online.
With this week's UK-EU Summit and trade announcements (see below) the spotlight has been again on cross border trade and port infrastructure, which now looks like it won't be needed in the future.
Interestingly though after our statements were picked up in a number newspapers, one of our public affairs advisers pointed out that Reform UK, whose leader Nigel Farage is now the bookies favourite to be the next Prime Minister, has vowed to scrap this deal. This would presumably mean, amongst other things, that borders infrastructure will again be required at UK ports for EU trade. We'll cross that bridge with the BPA's Ferry Ports Group if it comes to it!
Alongside this I had mini career highlight as yesterday I appeared onBBC Radio 4's Farming Todayprogramme (apparently as a young child I had a phase when I wanted to be a farmer!) about said borders infrastructure. This was broadcast in the early hours as the agricultural community rises, along with, as I discovered, some of the ports industry's finest. Indeed at about the same time as the bemused Mr Helburg in Norway was waking up to his new garden visitor, one of the BPA officers (we won't name them) was waking up listen to me. I also found that with a hardcore of industry fanatics who were also listening, some already at their ports and others on their way in to work!
It was around the same time as, I gather, my Tottenham supporting brother-in-law was going to bed in Bilbao after celebrating at this week's big European final. Indeed for that event the BPA team were particularly interested to see that a high number of football fans had made the trip on ferries from the South Coast of England to Northern Spain! Well done all involved.
It's been another busy week with meetings, events, judging awards and consultation responses, and the BPA team are looking forward to the slightly longer weekend hoping the sun comes out.
I wish everyone a pleasant Spring bank holiday weekend.
Richard Ballantyne
British Ports Association
UK-EU Summit and 'reset'
This week the UK and EU held a Summit in London and issued a joint 'reset'Statement on our post Brexit agreement. This is a series of principles and the exact details will be agreed in the coming months. Although there will be some closer alignment it was confirmed that the UK will not be re joining the European Customs Union or the Single Market.
The headlines on trade covered agri-food products, with the UK and the European Commission working towards establishing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, which we expect to result in the vast majority of movements of animals (including pets), animal products, plants, and plant products between Great Britain and the EU being undertaken without the certificates or inspection controls that are currently required. These provisions will be extended to the movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, under the Windsor Framework.
This should help UK-EU trade flow smoother but does of course mean those ports with Border Control Post facilities will find much of the infrastructure redundant, so whilst on one level this will be welcomed by traders, we have been asking for government compensatory assistance.
Separately the EU and the UK will work towards single immigration lanes and passport controls at ports and airports and there will also be closer cooperation on justice and illegal migration, security and a Youth Experience (mobility) Scheme. Europe and Britain will also look to cooperate on ship and port facility security, maritime cyber security, security aspects of maritime autonomous surface ships and the IMO. Alongside this there will be more cooperation on maritime safety in relation to the mutual sharing of accident investigations.
Much of the media focus was on fishing and the agreement will extend the current reciprocal access for a further 12 years and the SPS agreement should make it it easier for fishery product exports and imports between Britain and Europe. However not everyone in the sector is happy, but the UK Government said it would announce a £360m funding package for fisheries shortly, which we very much hope includes infrastructure and ports.
In addition the agreement includes closer co-operation on emissions through linking our respective Emissions Trading Systems, including on maritime transport and there are government webinars and briefings coming up for us to learn more.
In terms of timescales it could take some time to fully integrate the rules (probably at least two years) so much the alignment is not likely to be immediate. This means that, for example, for cross border arrangements and the Northern Ireland Windsor Framework Agreement, arrangements will continue to be implemented as they are now, for the time being.
NCSC Warning on Russian Cyber Attacks Targeting Ports
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) - a part of GCHQ, have this week revealed details about a Russian military unit's malicious cyber campaign against public and private organisations.
This has included targeting of organisations involved in the coordination, transport and delivery of support to Ukraine, and across the defence, IT services, maritime, airports, ports and air traffic management systems sectors. The security bodies of 10 NATO countries and Australia said Russian spies had used a combination of hacking techniques to gain access to networks.
The NCSC states that executives and network defenders at logistics companies should recognise the elevated threat of targeting and take immediate action to protect themselves. Actions include increasing monitoring, using multi-factor authentication with strong factors – such as passkeys – and ensuring security updates are applied promptly to manage vulnerabilities.
New Regional Growth Prospectuses for offshore wind
This week the Offshore Wind Industry Council and The Crown Estate published their Regional Growth Prospectuses, which show how UK coastal regions can be involved and benefit from offshore wind supply chain investment.
Most UK coastal regions are included in one form or another. Indeed each prospectus is tailored to a specific offshore wind cluster, a coastal region where companies involved in the sector are already concentrated, and where there is an expectation that other firms will join them as the industry’s supply chain continues to grow.
Each cluster might concentrate on different activities of offshore wind, including manufacturing of blades, turbine technology or bases, construction and operations & maintenance. Although most ports will be familiar with the commercial opportunities in their regions these prospectuses give a useful overview which could be helpful when briefing stakeholders and new staff members.
BPA People in Ports published
We are pleased to announce the launch of the BPA’sPeople in Ports publication — a celebration of the individuals who form the backbone of the UK’s thriving ports industry.
This initiative highlights just some of the 125,000 people who contribute to one of the country’s most vibrant and innovative sectors. By showcasing a wide variety of roles, the programme aims to inspire greater awareness and interest in careers within ports and maritime industries.
Many thanks to the members who have contributed to this exercise and publishers Compass Handbooks for their help in producing the final resources. The PDF document can be viewed here: BPA People in Ports
Book your place at the BPA 2025 conference before early bird rate ends!
The BPA's Annual Conference will return to the Humber in October, for the first time in over a decade. Delegates from across the ports and maritime industry will gather at the Forest Pines Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort on the banks of the ‘UK’s energy estuary’ for an action-packed programme between 15th-16th October 2025. The event includes a two-day conference, trade exhibition and three social events, including a Welcome Reception on Tuesday 14thOctober, the chance to ‘Party Underwater’ at The Deep, Hull’s award-winning aquarium attraction and the 2025 BPA Awards and Gala Dinner.
Delegate passes are still available at the Early Bird Discount rate until Friday 30th May.
There are still a limited number of sponsorship and exhibition packages remaining at #BPA2025TheHumber. To download the 2025 Partnership Opportunities brochure, view the latest exhibition floor plan and make a partnership application, visit the BPA 2025 website
To view some of this year’s confirmed event sponsors and exhibitors,click here
The winners of this year’s BPA Awards will be revealed at the Gala Dinner, held at Forest Pines Hotel on the 16th October. The awards are still open for submissions in six categories, until the close of play on Monday 16th June 2025. For more information, submissions and award category sponsorship, please contact the BPA directly, or visit: britishports.org.uk/awards/
If you have any questions relating to the 2025 British Ports Association Conference and Exhibition, please contact the event team on:
Thank you again to all our guests who attended our Annual Lunch last week. Over 500 ports industry professionals gathered at the Guildhall in London for our AGM and Annual Lunch — a fantastic day of networking, discussion, and celebration of our thriving sector.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and contributed to such a memorable event. To view the event photos, look at our flickr page here. Also a special thank you toMary O’Sullivanfor capturing the day so beautifully.
British Ports Association, 30 Park Street, London, London SE1 9EQ, United Kingdom
