Published on: 06 July 2023
The Government has said it will carry out a review of its policies to modernise the UK’s maritime sector, following a number of recommendations by the Transport Committee on cutting emissions, enabling new technology and investing in skilling up workers.
- Among the headline recommendations of the Committee’s report into the Government’s 2019 ‘Maritime 2050’ strategy, it called on the Department for Transport (DfT) to work with industry to review the 184 recommendations it set itself four years ago.
- In its response, DfT said it will establish a new cross-departmental Maritime Council to review progress.
- Ministers said an updated Clean Maritime Plan to decarbonise the sector will be published later this year, with a ‘road map’ for how to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
- In its report, the Transport Committee said DfT’s updated plan should include details of how new regulations will support the use of future fuels and vessel types, giving industry certainty about how to invest.
- However, DfT said it was unwilling to commit beyond 2025, to long-term investment in UK SHORE – a programme of investment in infrastructure projects focused on shore-side electrical charging.
- On ‘smart shipping’ technologies, the Committee said DfT should quickly bring in new legislation to facilitate regulation that would enable companies to adopt remote-controlled vessels, and autonomous ships that use sensors to help them navigate and assist crew.
- The Government rejected MPs’ call to bring forward its promised Seafarers’ Welfare Charter as soon as possible and make it mandatory for UK operators. MPs argued this was necessary to hold employers to high standards and support seafarers’ mental health, and that the Government’s current plan to ask operators to sign up voluntarily won’t be enough to protect seafarers.
- Also concerning the workforce, the Committee urged DfT to conduct a review of funding for training in the maritime sector, with a cost-benefit assessment of providing fully funded training places for officers and ratings.
- Ministers accepted the Committee’s recommendation to set concrete targets for growing the UK ship register. The number of vessels on it shrank by a third between 2009 and 2021 and is currently the 24th largest in the world by tonnage. The report argued that growing the register will make the UK more influential in setting standards for safety and workers’ welfare. The DfT’s response said the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has a three-year Strategic Growth Programme to create conditions for growing the UK ship register.
- There was a positive response to the Committee’s recommendation that DfT should develop Regional Maritime Clusters – groups of local firms and institutions focused on improving coastal industry. The Committee argued this would help revitalise and level up areas around ports. DfT said it will launch further work on this later in the year.
Transport Committee Chair Iain Stewart said:
“Top of our agenda with this report was urging ministers to bring some order to the muddle of recommendations in its Maritime 2050 strategy.
“We also look forward to poring over DfT’s promised update to the Clean Maritime Plan at the end of the year. But as part of this we strongly believe the Government should commit to long term investment in UK SHORE beyond 2025. The ability to plan long term is especially crucial to the maritime sector, and we believe there will be disappointment at the uncertainty this will cause.
“It is similarly disappointing that new legislation to enable smart shipping appears to be drifting out to sea and in danger of being abandoned before the next general election. This Committee has noticed a lack of new much-needed legislation coming from DfT across its work on other modes of transport too.
“That brings us to the need to grow the UK ship register. While it has been in decline, it is positive that DfT is taking steps to make this a strategic priority.
“If the Government wishes to be a leading maritime force it needs to invest in its people both in terms of skills and welfare. The Committee recommended that the Seafarers’ Welfare Charter be mandatory; it is a shame that ministers are still committed to making this voluntary.”
Transport Secretary opens first Maritime Council to support jobs and reduce emissions
The council will provide expertise and top-level oversight for the Maritime 2050 strategy. It will look at how to deliver clean maritime growth, and how economic and environmental benefits can converge to bring forward a futureproof maritime sector. Alongside this, the council will support commercial investment into maritime infrastructure, work to put the UK at the centre of global safety and security standards, promote a more diverse maritime workforce and unlock the potential of new technologies in the sector.
The council will have the power to set up specific groups tasked with working to ensure that the UK is delivering on its ambitions in the maritime sector. The council will also oversee publication of a joint government and industry annual report on the delivery progress of Maritime 2050. The first meeting was chaired by Transport Secretary Mark Harper, with subsequent meetings to be chaired by Maritime Minister Baroness Vere.
During his opening address to the council, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
“As an island nation, maritime has always underpinned our national connectivity and prosperity, so it’s vital we secure the long-term future of this sector and deliver on the Maritime 2050’s recommendations to make the UK maritime sector the strongest and most competitive in the world.”
Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said:
“Collaboration with the industry will help deliver our shared Maritime 2050 vision, revolutionising the UK’s relationship with other countries, to grow and upskill the maritime workforce and advance our world class safety standards.”