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Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates has today stressed the importance of a collaborative approach to growing ports and connected economic activities throughout Wales.

With Welsh Government support, the Welsh Ports Group has organised a reception during London International Shipping week to offer ports professionals a unique opportunity to network and promote Welsh ports and their services, as well as promote Welsh ports to the international community.

Speaking at the event, Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates said:
“Ports in Wales are uniquely placed to be a driving force for economic wealth by supporting economic growth and jobs throughout Wales, as well as bringing added value to local communities.

“This is an important transitional year for Welsh Government us as we look forward to the devolution of ports related functions from next year under the Wales Act 2017. Devolution will bring exciting opportunities for us to enhance our working relationships with the sector and support the key role it has to play in achieving a prosperous, secure united and connected Wales.

“Collaborative working with the ports sector and businesses throughout Wales on the unique risks and opportunities Brexit represents is crucially important to ensure solutions which maximise the economic contribution ports make to our communities.

“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to provide funding and speak at the Welsh Ports Groups’ reception for London International Shipping Week. This event further enhances the already strong engagement we have with the sector, Government and businesses stakeholders which are reliant on strong ports links.”

Callum Couper, Chair of the Welsh Ports Group, said;
“Ports in Wales handle some 55 m tonnes of cargo each year, over 10% of UK trade, and are essential infrastructure to support energy, manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture and retail sectors of the economy both within Wales and the UK nationally. Ports are powerful facilitators of investment and employment and also support environmentally sustainable modes of cargo transport, reducing carbon emissions.

“The Welsh Government has long recognised the substantial contribution ports make to the economy of Wales. Together, the Welsh Ports Group and the Welsh Government are ensuring Wales’ ports are ready to meet the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities ahead.”

The Welsh Ports Group comprises of leaders from the majority of ports across Wales. Coordinated by the British Ports Association and the UK Major Ports Group, it provides regular advice and briefing to the Welsh Government and key decision makers across the planning, transport and maritime sectors.

Speaking to a packed Drapers’ Hall in the City of London at its AGM lunch on 21st April, British Ports Association (BPA) Chairman Andrew Moffat, Chief Executive of the Port of Tyne, set out the ports industry priorities for the next Government.

London International Shipping Week 2017 has been hailed a resounding success with thousands of global shipping industry leaders attending more than 160 official events throughout the week.

Initial estimates place the number of UK and international visitors at over 15,000 but this figure could rise even further when the number of ‘unofficial’ events are considered.

Such was the international interest in the week that #LISW17; #LISW2017; and @LISW17Official trended on Twitter twice during the week, with an estimated 11.2 million user twitter reach.

Indeed, visitors from over 50 countries attended the week, including 15 ministers from foreign governments such as Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Ghana.

The UK government used the week to host bilateral meetings with politicians and senior industry figures to explore partnerships, future opportunities outside the European Union and examine how to help significantly boost maritime exports.

It really was a week of business with all event organisers reporting very strong attendances at their events. Such was the interest of the varied subject matter under discussion and the high quality of the venues, that the opinion was that London International Shipping Week had come of age and was truly a global must-attend event.

Reflecting on the successes of the past week, Jeremy Penn, Chairman of the LISW17 Steering Group, paid tribute to the strong cooperation that existed between Government and industry.

“LISW17 was bigger and stronger than the previous events in 2015 and 2013 and this reflects not only the importance of government and industry cooperation in helping to promote London and the UK’s prominent role in world shipping, but also the realisation by shipping that London is firmly at the heart of this global industry,” he said.

More than 550 people attended the official LISW17 flagship conference on Thursday September 14th, while just under 1,000 guests and VIPs attended the Gala Dinner in the evening. Both were held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane.

“The buy in to LISW17 by industry and government – not just in the UK but globally – has been astounding. While we were anticipating a very strong event, boosted by the attention surrounding Brexit as well as the green shoots of recovery in many key shipping sectors, it is true to say that the actual outcome far exceeds our expectations,” said Sean Moloney and Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, Directors of the event organisers Shipping Innovation.

Further information about LISW17 can be found on the dedicated event website: www.test.londoninternationalshippingweek.com or you can follow us on Twitter @LISW17.

Image caption: Maritime Minister the Rt Hon John Hayes MP OBE opens ABP’s event at Somerset House

High ranking officials from the United States Maritime Administration and Chinese investors interested in the UK’s maritime sector mingled with Government ministers and senior civil servants at a series of flagship events facilitated by ABP at the heart of London International Shipping Week.

Titled UK Ports and Maritime: Unlocking a Global Opportunity, the event hosted by ABP with the American Embassy and the Department for Transport looked at the future of maritime trade.

As well as bilateral discussions, the event saw presentations on securing free trade deals; Free Trade Zones; and international trade security and resilience. Speakers included Professor David Collins, Professor of International Law at City University and a renowned expert on free trade deals, and Rishi Sunak MP.

Maritime Minister the Rt Hon John Hayes MP OBE opened ABP’s event at Somerset House.

He said: “I am delighted to have opened this important conference and listen to numerous good ideas on how our ports can continue to support prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic. “London International Shipping Week is the most special and extraordinary promotional opportunity for the UK maritime industry in recent history. “For us to seize the promise and the opportunities after our exit from the EU we must draw on our glorious past, by rejuvenating our heritage to once again be a truly global, seafaring, trading nation.”

Later, ABP’s American guests and their UK counterparts had lunch at the House of Commons and heard from Lucy Chadwick, Director General of the DfT’s International, Security and Environment Group.

Working in partnership with the Department for International Trade and Maritime UK, ABP supported LISW’s International Maritime Xchange event, which also took place at Somerset House.

The Xchange introduced international investors, including several delegations from China, to aspects of the UK’s world-class maritime sector. The event also saw the media launch of the Mayflower Autonomous Ship project to recreate the famed voyage of the Pilgrim fathers from Plymouth to New England only with an entirely autonomous vessel.

ABP Chief Executive James Cooper hailed the events as evidence of a “powerful partnership” between business and Government.

“This is a fantastic example of business and government working together to deliver for the UK’s maritime sector,” he said. “It’s called London International Shipping Week for a reason and so we were determined to ensure it delivers on its international ambitions by linking up with two of the UK’s key trade partners in the United States and China.

“Ports and maritime represent a major global opportunity for the UK economy; an opportunity for Britain to increase its trade with countries throughout the world,” said Mr Cooper.

“Today, through the success of these events, we’ve demonstrated another way we can make a valuable contribution.”

Earlier in the week ABP had held a joint event for 250 guests at London’s City Hall with the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association.

Note to editors:

About ABP

ABP is the UK’s leading ports operator with 21 ports and other transport related businesses creating a unique national network capable of handling a vast array of cargo.

ABP contributes £5.6 billion to the UK economy every year and supports 84,000 jobs. Our current investment programme promises to deliver an extra £1.75 billion for the economy every year.

ABP’s Port of Southampton is the UK’s largest export port, handling more than £40 billion of goods each year, with £36 billion of that destined for markets outside the EU.

ABP…

• Handles over 1.5 million vehicles every year
• Generates around one quarter of the UK’s rail freight
• Has 1.4 million square metres of covered storage
• Has 1,000 hectares of open storage
• Handles around 90m tonnes of cargo each year
• Owns 5,000 hectares of port estate
• Has 87km of quay

Our five year investment programme is worth £1 billion. Our investment is designed to respond to the needs of our customers whose business relies on our ports for access to international and, in some cases, domestic markets.

Contact:

Gareth Lewis Pressiana Naydenova Corporate Communications Manager Corporate Communications Advisor Tel: 020 7406 7814 Tel: 020 7406 7825 Mob: 07739 104 945 Mob: 07702 900 830 Email: gdlewis@abports.co.uk Email: pressiana.naydenova@abports.co.uk

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