UKMPG comments on Chancellor's Autumn Statement

30th November 11

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement was delivered on 29 November, accompanied by the publication of two documents of particular relevance to ports: the National Infrastructure Plan for 2011 and the Logistics Growth Review.  UKMPG had previously provided input into the DfT-led Logistics Growth Review.

The 2011 Autumn Statement included the announcement of measures to accelerate the Government's programme of structural reforms to infrastructure, and to support enterprise and growth.  Among these were a short-term £2.4bn package aimed at improving road and rail networks, and a £1bn increase in the Regional Growth Fund.  The Logistics Growth Review included a commitment to review the regulations around the implementation of the EU Habitats and Birds Directives in England with a view to easing excessive regulatory burdens on businesses.

Richard Bird, UKMPG's Executive Director, commented: "We are pleased that the Government has put infrastructure at the centre of the growth agenda and has listened to port industry concerns about the need for better connections to ports and for deregulation.  It is important that there is rapid delivery on the commitments in the Autumn Statement.  Also the deregulation work needs to be extended to cover other sectors which are constraining growth such as onerous and unfair energy regulation at ports."

UKMPG welcomes new ports policy statement

25th October 11

On 24 October 2011 the Government published an updated version of the national ports policy statement.  This sets out the policy framework which the Infrastructure Planning Commission (soon to become the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit) must take into account when assessing port development projects.  Smaller projects require the approval of the Marine Management Organisation who are also expected to be guided by the statement.  This is an updated version of the earlier draft statement published at the end of 2009 but contains a stronger presumption in favour of port development going ahead.

Commenting, UKMPG's executive director Richard Bird said "The latest version of the ports statement is very much on the same lines as the earlier version published before the last election.  We continue to welcome the recognition of the enormous economic significance of ports and the contribution which ports can make to the UK economic recovery.  We are pleased to see the additional emphasis being placed on ports' role in the development of the off-shore energy sector.  It is however disappointing that once again the Government have failed to co-ordinate the ports statement with the statement on road and rail infrastructure which is due out at the end of the year, since ensuring good connections to ports is a vital part of overall ports planning policy."

Ports concerns about new energy stealth tax announced in spending review

21st October 10

A change to the Carbon Reduction Commitment announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement on 20 October will add significantly to ports' energy costs.

Larger ports are covered by the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) which is a Government scheme intended to encourage energy efficiency by medium to large sized electricity users.  We share the misgivings that many businesses have about the complexity of the CRC scheme and there are specific concerns about the application of the CRC scheme to business tenants within port estates.  These concerns have been heightened by the announcement in the Comprehensive Spending Review statement that CRC payments would be retained by Government and no longer recycled to industry.  This turns the scheme into an ill disguised energy tax paid uniquely by larger business users.

This completely changes the purpose of the Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme.  We shall be pressing strongly for the CRC to be withdrawn or reconsidered.

UKMPG's overall position on carbon emissions can be found here.

Charles Hammond to take over as UKMPG Chairman

5th October 10

At the end of November Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports plc, will take over as Chairman of the UK Major Ports Group.  He succeeds Richard Everitt, Chief Executive of the Port of London Authority, who is stepping down at the end of a four year term.

Charles Hammond stated "It is a great privilege to be taking over shortly as chairman of the UK Major Ports Group, which Richard Everitt has so ably led over the last four years.  I look forward to building on UKMPG's strengths as an increasingly effective voice for the UK's largest commercial ports and ensuring that the Government recognises the great economic contribution which ports are making in all parts of the UK."

UKMPG opposes pricing for using the maritime radio spectrum

8th February 10

In responding to a recent OfCom consultation, UKMPG has voiced concern about proposals to charge for using the maritime radio spectrum.  In a joint response with the British Ports Association, we have argued that pricing should not be applied where the spectrum has to be used for safety reasons and where its use is governed by international agreements.  This would do nothing to promote more efficient use of the spectrum which is OfCom's objective.  However, we do support a suggestion that management of the maritime spectrum should transfer from OfCom to the Department for Transport and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who would be better placed to recognise the policy implications for the UK maritime sector. 

The full text of the response can be found here.

Draft ports national policy statement on the right lines

27th January 10

In responding to the ports national policy statement, UKMPG has underlined that the UK economy is best served by a private sector and unsubsidised ports industry operating on the basis of free and fair competition.  UKMPG welcomes the recognition that ports make a huge contribution to the UK economy and that port development should continue to be market led.  However the ports statement needs to be more closely linked to other national policy statements particularly that on road and rail networks which should have been issued at the same time.  UKMPG is also concerned at the lack of prioritisation between the areas to be considered by the new Infrastructure Planning Commission which will take decisions on major port development projects submitted after 1 March.

The full text of UKMPG's response can be found here.

UKMPG holds annual reception

19th November 09

The UK Major Ports Group held its annual reception on 18 November 2009 in Westminster.  The group was addressed by Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Minister for the Marine and Natural Environment, who spoke about the new Marine and Coastal Access Act and emphasised Defra's commitment to working with the ports industry to ensure economically and environmentally sustainable growth. UKMPG's Chairman, Richard Everitt, congratulated the Minister and his team on securing Royal Assent to the Act, and went on to discuss the main areas of interest and concern that UKMPG identifies going forward. 

Click here to download a copy of Richard Everitt's speech at the reception.

Government reaffirms a market led approach to port investment

17th November 09

The Government published a draft ports policy statement on 9 November.  This sets out a policy framework which the newly formed Infrastructure Planning Commission must take into account when reaching decisions on future planning applications for large port developments in England and Wales.  It will also guide decision-taking by the Marine Management Organisation which will be taking over responsibility for all other port development applications in England.  The draft statement emphasises the importance of ports to the national economy and that judgements about development are best made on the basis of commercial factors by ports operating within a free market environment.  The conclusion is that there is a compelling case for substantial additional port investment over the next 20 to 30 years, including projects which have already received development consent.  Consultation on the draft statement runs until 15 February 2010.

Click here to download the draft national policy statement for ports and the consultation document from the DfT website.

New Marine Act to have big impact on ports

17th November 09

The Marine and Coastal Access Act which passed into law on 12 November will be of great significance to ports.  Once the Act is fully implemented all but the largest port development proposals will be assessed not by the Department for Transport but by the new Marine Management Organisation which is to be based in Newcastle.  Under new streamlined "one stop shop" arrangements the MMO is also taking on responsibility for marine dredging and navigation licensing.  Ports will also be working closely with the MMO as it develops marine plans for sea areas round England.

Other aspects of the new legislation will also have an impact on ports.  Ports will be participating in the arrangements for designating new marine conservation zones for the sustainable protection of wildlife and habitats. They will also be involved in discussions with Natural England about the route of the coastal path round England where this impacts on future port development.

Strong Ports Commitment to Marine Safety

6th November 09

Ports representatives have made a major contribution to preparing the updated Port Marine Safety Code.  The updated code was formally launched at an event on HQS Wellington in London on 29 October, jointly hosted by the Department for Transport and the Port of London Authority.  The new edition of the code is simpler and clearer and provides improved guidelines for ports' safety management systems.  Alongside the code is a revised guide to good practice which contains more detailed operational advice and incorporates recent recommendations from the Marine Accident investigation Branch.  The ports industry will have lead responsibility for keeping the guide fully up to date in the years ahead.

Click here to download the Port Marine Safety Code, and here for the Guide to Good Practice.