UKMPA & Londion International Shipping Week

March 26th, 2014 by JCB
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The week of September 12th 2013 saw the start of London International Shipping Week (LISW). This marked the first of a series of events, conferences, workshops and receptions, aimed at supporting and marketing the importance of London as a shipping centre and the UK as a maritime nation.

During the week receptions were hosted by many shipping organisations and institutes, guests including representatives from Government, such as the Shipping Minister, and London Mayor Boris Johnson. Several events, hosted by the maritime services, were designed to display UK expertise in maritime services – especially the insurance, legal and financial sectors. Open invitations were extended to delegates, to attend annual general meetings of many principal shipping organisations, such as Intermanager, Baltic Exchange, Shipping Professionals Network and the International Chamber of Shipping. All these events were intended to demonstrate the strong network potential of London as a maritime cluster.

Towards the end of the LISW there was a gala dinner. Our Association was represented by Don Cockrill, Chairman, John Pearn, Vice-Chairman, Mike Robarts, Secretary, James Manson, Europilots, Jeff Miles, London pilot. Over 400 delegates descended on the conference, ranging from government officials, consulate representatives, ship owners and operators, trade associations and maritime services providers. It was important that the Association had a presence: it registered the importance of pilots and their skills, expertise and the contribution we bring to the maritime sector. It was an important occasion for the Association to take advantage of networking opportunities.

The conference was hosted by Willis Group, and was held in their prestigious buildings, just opposite Lloyd’s of London. Interestingly, founded in 1828 Willis is one of the oldest insurance groups, with a rich heritage in insurance markets. It serves the maritime sector, as well as other major industries. Some key events in insurance remain insuring the ill-fated Titanic and Hindenburg. Willis Group has also been responsible for insuring, for NASA, the lunar vehicle, affectionately known as the moon buggy. Its brokerage has also aided reconstruction of the New World Trade Center and insurance for the maiden flight of the new airbus.

The LISW conference opened with speeches by key figures from the maritime industry. Jeremy Penn, Chief Executive of the Baltic Exchange, and Koji Sekimizu, Secretary General of the IMO, spoke about the history of London’s maritime influence. Koji Sekimizu addressed conference about sustainable maritime development, focusing on what he regards as the three pillars of this development: economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability. Jim Stewart, Chairman of Maritime UK, spoke about working together to create new growth and opportunities.  He outlined the history of the UK maritime sector and the rich talent it offers to international shipping. Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, a Minister for Trade and Transport, explained the UK’s role in the global shipping market. Delegates then applauded the presence of the Rt. Hon. Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Roger Grifford, who spoke of his background in finance. He stressed the importance of the maritime sector in the City by giving a fascinating picture of the vast range of maritime employment within the Square Mile; he affirmed the trust the City has established in international trade. Dr Martin Stopford, President of Clarkson’s Research, a well-known economist and author, gave a jovial presentation on shipping cycles at present.

After a short break delegates headed back the session titled ‘Propelling world trade’. This involved a panel of speakers from senior management in shipping organisations. These included Doug Barrow, CEO of Maritime London, Nigel Anton, of Global Head of Finance, Standard Chartered Bank, whose presentation was on ‘Banking on a recovery’, Dominic Casserley, CEO Willis Group, whose presented on ‘Managing marine risks in a volatile world’, and Denis Petropoulos, Director of Breamar Shipping Services, who spoke about London’s global role in shipbroking services. A plenary session took the form of a panel debating ‘What makes a first class maritime centre?’ The moderator was Sean Moloney, who put key questions to the panellists, who included Grantley Berkeley, Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, Mariella Bottigiliera, Managing Director of Giuseppe Bottigliera shipping company, Roberto Cazzulo, Chairman of IACS, and Phillip Roche of Norton Rose Fullbright LLP. After the panel debate the floor was opened to questions from delegates, before Stephen Hammond MP, Minister for Shipping and Ports, addressed the conference.

The afternoon saw an interesting presentation on maritime security and the situation in the Gulf of Aden, a topical point for those in international shipping. Of special interest for all mariners was the topic introduced by Admiral George Zambellas, KCB DSC, First Sea Lord and Chief of Staff, some of his senior staff, and James Hugh
Deputy, Head of Security Policy in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which covered maritime security and, particularly, piracy. They discussed how 27 different nations are involved in successful efforts to deter piracy and drive down attempts to hijack ships. They spoke about other maritime threats facing a UK fleet, now the fifth largest in the world, and showed challenges and changes we may face in the maritime sector.

The closing session was opened by Mark Brownrigg, Director General of UK Chamber of Shipping, on how shipping is coping with environmental compliance. This was followed by Tom Boardley of Lloyd’s Register, who gave a most interesting presentation on new technologies and the next generation of ships. Peter Hinchcliffe, the final speaker, asked ‘Are environmental regulations pushing a struggling industry closer to the edge?’. He then handed discussion to a group of panellists, Julian Bray, editor of Tradewinds, mediating a debate entitled ‘Platform for world growth’. Panellists included John Denholm, President of BIMCO, John Luke, Head of Shipping KPMG, Jens Martin Jensen, CEO Frontline Management, Roger Janson, President of Cargill Ocean Transport, and Katharina Stanzel, Intertanko, all making a wide mixture of  shipping associations, commodity owners and ship operators, but whose variety all spiced a serious yet light-hearted debate.

The LISW week provided invaluable insights into the business side of shipping, from key figures of the maritime sector giving their views on how the shipping industry is performing and how London and the UK are centre for shipping.

The evening Gala dinner was held at the Grosvenor Hotel, in Park Lane. This was a prestigious venue and occasion. The Association was represented by Lord Tony Berkeley, President, Don Cockrill, Chairman, John Pearn, Vice-Chairman, and Nick Cutmore, IMPA.

Mike Robarts

Web link: London International shipping Week