Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum policy conference – Morning, Monday, 7th December 2020

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with
Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive, British Ports Association

Tim Morris, Chief Executive, UK Major Ports Group

Peter Neville-Jones, Technical Director, Maritime and Ports, AECOM

FROM – Michael Ryan, Deputy Editor, Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum

Hello, I hope this finds you well.

I’m inviting you to this conference, which will discuss the policy priorities for further developing ports in the UK, examining how key operational challenges ahead of the end of the EU exit transition period.

Sessions will also assess the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, priorities for modernising and digitising ports, decarbonising ports and the future of freeports in the UK.

Why this is relevant – the context: [jump to the agenda summary]

It takes place:

• In the context of significant challenges and pressures effecting ports throughout the UK, with COVID-19 disrupting port operations and efficiency, and with the end of the EU exit transition period drawing near
• Following the close of the Government’s Freeports Consultation earlier this year on creating up to 10 freeports in locations across the UK

• Following the anticipated release of the National Infrastructure Strategy alongside the Autumn Budget, expected to outline the Government’s long-term priorities for infrastructure development
• With the published 5-year plan for maritime and trade, which prepares a vision for 2050, and outlines how key areas such as port digitisation, the use of autonomous technology, and the greening of port operations, can improve the strength and competitiveness of British ports

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Key areas for discussion: [jump to the agenda summary]

Developing port resilience and maintaining operational efficiency during periods of economic and physical disruption

Ahead of the end of the EU exit transition period, planned sessions will discuss:

• how the sector has adapted to COVID-19
• what will be required from policy in order to minimise further challenges, such as protecting the financial sustainability of key supply chains, and the flow of travel and trade

• the impact of the intensification of recent preparations for the upcoming end of the transition period – such as the provision of £84m to grow an intermediary sector for custom checks, encompassing all EU trade beyond 2020 – including customs requirements for imported and exported items, the declaration of goods, and increased physical checks
• What is needed from policymakers and wider groups of stakeholders to ensure ports remain resilient, and are able to operate effectively during periods of disruption, considering:
  • priorities for safeguarding port operations during COVID-19 – accessing financial support mechanisms, ensuring facilities remain open and safe for cargo and port users, and latest thinking on utilising facilities efficiently to protect supply chain operations
  • preparing for different exit scenarios and steps for minimising disruption at the end of the transition period – boosting capacity for increased checks and traffic, reducing barriers to the efficient flow of freight and commerce and opportunities presented by digital technology for streamlining the travel of goods

Steps for unlocking smart ports and digitisation, and the future of freeports in the UK

Further sessions will provide an opportunity to examine the priorities for developing port infrastructure in the UK, including:

• designing a ports infrastructure system that enables economic growth – scaling up terminal capacity for international trade, partnerships with industry to facilitate new services, and improving the readiness of major ports for dealing with new sectors and export markets
• developing a pathway for smart ports and overcoming modernisation challenges – digitising logistics and technical operations, automating stacking and crane functions, steps for accessing funding for innovation, and reducing operational costs through efficiency
• leveraging the benefits of port development for local economies – increasing local business activity, integrating ports within the wider transport infrastructure network, and supporting economic growth
• next steps for decarbonising ports and their operations – including reducing operational emissions, supporting the growth of low carbon shipping, and working with local governments and other energy-intensive stakeholders on integrated local net-zero strategies

It will also be an opportunity for policymakers and stakeholders to examine the Government’s intention to create up to 10 new freeports across the UK, following the closed consultation earlier this year, with sessions looking at the potential opportunities for economic growth, as well as implications on customs regimes, including:

• Future customs arrangements – priorities for setting rules on duty free imports, assembly, and re-export, communicating new and flexible taxation rates to businesses
• establishing a system that fosters and drives innovation – providing dynamic regulation for innovators, enabling new business models and industries to operate in growth hubs, and latest thinking on growing productivity through the development of startups and new technology

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***Full-scale policy conference taking place online*** [further details]

The agenda

• The outlook of the ports sector
• Case study – protecting port functions during COVID-19
• Preparing UK ports for after the UK-EU Transition Period – minimising traffic and trade congestion, boosting capacity, and latest thinking on adjusting to new tariff regimes
• Developing port infrastructure in the UK – designing terminals fit for capacity, and meeting the needs of new services and demands
• Positioning the UK as a leader in smart ports and automation – increasing operational efficiency, cargo logistics, and harnessing the benefits of digitisation
• Pathways for port decarbonisation up to 2050 – commercialising low-carbon shipping, reducing operational emissions, and collaborating on local net-zero strategies
• Next steps for freeports in the UK – practical design, enabling economic growth, and supporting innovation
  • Effective customs arrangements – reducing tariff barriers, becoming more competitive, and supporting duty free re-exports
  • Freeports and supporting innovation – regulatory flexibility, attracting startups, and testing new technology
• Policy priorities for developing and supporting UK ports

[jump to full agenda] [Book Online]

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. [About Us]

It’s certainly the case with this one. There’s an outline of the government departments, regulators and other interested parties who we expect to take part here.

I do hope that you will be able to join us for what promises to be a most useful morning, and look forward to hearing from you soon.

ABOUT…

www.weetf.com

The core sponsors of the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum are: AECOM, Burges Salmon and Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The parliamentary patrons of the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum are: Peter Aldous MP, Jack Brereton MP, Lord Berkeley, Lord Bradshaw, Alan Brown MP, Dawn Butler MP, Ruth Cadbury MP, Sir Christopher Chope MP, Ronnie Cowan MP, Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP, Geraint Davies MP, Nadine Dorries MP, Lord Dubs, Clive Efford MP, Barry Gardiner MP, Andrew Gwynne MP, Stephen Hammond MP, Viscount Hanworth, Drew Hendry MP, Wera Hobhouse MP, Baroness Howe of Idlicote, Rt Hon the Lord Howell of Guildford, Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate, Rt Hon the Baroness Kramer, Rt Hon Eleanor Laing MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, John McNally MP, Rt Hon the Lord McNally, Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, Baroness O’Cathain, Lord O’Neill of Clackmannan, Lord Oxburgh, Mark Pawsey MP, Christopher Pincher MP, Lord Ravensdale, Lord Redesdale, Baroness Scott of Needham Market, Baroness Sheehan, Alex Sobel MP, Rt Hon the Lord Steel of Aikwood, Rt Hon the Lord Taylor of Holbeach, Lord Teverson, Derek Thomas MP, Lord Truscott, Baroness Verma, Dr Alan Whitehead MP and Rt Hon the Lord Whitty. Note: parliamentary patrons take no financial interest in the Forum.

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Chairs and speakers [back]

Keynote contributions: Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive, British Ports Association; Tim Morris, Chief Executive, UK Major Ports Group; and Peter Neville-Jones, Technical Director, Maritime and Ports, AECOM.

Additional senior participants are being approached, but if you or a colleague would like to be considered as a speaker at this seminar, please contact us at speakeroffers@forumsupport.co.uk specifying the event and session where you would like to speak and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If you are offering to speak yourself please don’t fill in the booking form, as this will be taken as an order and you will be charged for a place subject to our T&Cs.

Attendees [back]

This is CPD certified (more details).

Overall, we expect further speakers and other delegates to be an informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior government officials involved in this area of public policy, together with ports from around the UK and their partners including industry associations, the freight and wider transport sector, infrastructure and technology providers, exporters and other businesses, local authorities and LEPs, consultancies and logistics organisations, financial, legal and public affairs advisors, environmental, community and regeneration groups, academics and commentators, international interests and embassies, and reporters from the specialist and national media.

Booking arrangements

This is a full-scale conference taking place online*** [back]

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks – you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
• information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
• conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
• speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates – we’ll provide full details)
• opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
• a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
• delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
• networking too – there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact – we’ll tell you how!
• video recordings – including slides – are also available to purchase

Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference

To book places, please use our online booking form.

Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions below.

You can also pay in advance by credit card on 01344 864796. If advance credit card payment is not possible, please let me know and we may be able to make other arrangements.

Options and charges are as follows:

• Access to The future for Ports in the UK: priorities post the EU exit transition period, infrastructure development and freight (plus a permanent record of proceedings) is £190 plus VAT per delegate;
• Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded individuals and those in similar circumstances are £85 plus VAT. Please be sure to apply for this at the time of booking.

If you find the charge for places a barrier to attending:

• please let me know as concessionary and complimentary places are made available in certain circumstances
• typical eligibility: individual service users or carers not supported by or part of an organisation, full-time students, unemployed and fully retired people with no paid work, and small charities
• concessions are not offered to businesses, individuals funded by an organisation, or larger charities/not-for-profit companies.

Please note terms and conditions below (including cancellation charges). [back]

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Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum policy conference [back]

The future for Ports in the UK: priorities post the EU exit transition period, infrastructure development and freight
Timing: Morning, Monday, 7th December 2020
***Taking Place Online*** [further details]

Book Online | Live Agenda

Draft agenda subject to change

About Us

The Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum is strictly impartial and cross-party, and draws on the considerable support it receives from within Parliament and Government, and amongst the wider stakeholder community. The Forum has no policy agenda of its own. Forum events are frequently the platform for major policy statements from senior Ministers, regulators and other officials, opposition spokespersons and senior opinion-formers in industry and interest groups. Events regularly receive prominent coverage in the national and trade media. [back]