The UK shipping industry is set for a radical shake-up according to transport secretary Louise Haigh who pledged her allegiance to the sector in her first major maritime address.
“My pledge to you is this, I will place maritime at the heart of this government’s bold plans for change, and I will work with you day in and day out to set this industry up for success,” Haigh said during an impassioned speech at the Shipping UK event in London.
She said that although how vessels will be made, powered and operated, remains the stove of fierce debate, more change is likely to happen in the next 30 years than has happened in the past 3,000.
“Maritime must be ready to seize the opportunities ahead. And as transport secretary, I will be your biggest champion,” Haigh said at the event organised by the UK Chamber of Shipping.
She outlined that economic growth rests on maritime’s growth. “And make no mistake, that means more shipping, not less.”
Haigh added that as global seaborne trade is set to increase year on year, the UK is ideally placed to take advantage.
“Just look at our inherent strengths as an island nation. Almost all our trade flows through 130 commercial ports with a maritime workforce over 200,000 strong, and a network of maritime clusters from pioneering research in Southampton to offshore energy in Scotland.”
While acknowledging that “success must be sustainable”, Haigh indicated that greening the UK’s transport works is one of her key priorities, with her vision for green shipping to be set out soon.
Pressed by event moderator Paddy Rodgers, director at Royal Museums of Greenwich, on whether the government plans to specifically update the Clean Maritime Plan, Haigh said: “We really want to be ambitious in this sector.
“One of my five priorities is greening accountable networks, and that absolutely means maritime. So, I’ll be setting out some concrete plans on that soon.”
Haigh said that domestic UK shipping emits more greenhouse gases than busses, coaches and rail combined and in 2022, over 50% of UK maritime emissions were from international shipments.
This, said Haigh, was “a worrying impact, but it can be reversed, and on the world stage the UK is taking the lead”.
Seafarers’ rights and scandals
Haigh also highlighted that recent years have revealed a harsh truth — those who ply their trade at sea enjoy fewer rights and protections than those on land.
Referring to P&O Ferries mass sackings, Haigh said: “I know many of you were shocked and angry. I was and still am … but despite words of condemnation from the previous government, not enough was done either to give seafarers the rights they deserve or to stop something like that from happening again.
“This government won’t hesitate to act,” she said, adding that she will be announcing measures shortly to ensure a repeat of the national scandal never happens again.
Haigh, who served as shadow transport secretary for two-and-a-half years before her current role, ended her address on a personal note, which connects her to the sector.
“I know working at sea isn’t just a job, it’s a calling,” she said, recalling how her uncle ran away from home to join the merchant navy.
“It changed his life forever. It gave him opportunities he wouldn’t have achieved otherwise growing up in landlocked Staveley in Derbyshire, but it’s an example of the industry’s impact at the individual level.
“It can allow you to become something far bigger than yourself at the national level, it underpins our very way of life. It’s why this government will never take you or this industry for granted. It’s why we will give you tools.
“We’ll set the right conditions. We’ll join with you in partnership to secure not only a brighter future for maritime but for the whole of our community,” Haigh said.
