BPA spotlight on port policy and sustainable development

The 16th British Ports Association conference was hosted by the Milford Haven Port Authority (MPHA) in Pembrokeshire, Wales from 7 to 10 October 2008. The successful conference, which was attended by some 300 delegates from the UK, Ireland and Europe, marked 50 years of the MHPA.

Sustainable venue

The conference was held at Bluestone, Pembrokeshire’s new sustainable holiday village. Opened in July 2008, this was the venue’s first major conference. The venue proved to be fantastic and delegates received a true taste of Welsh hospitality! Partly situated in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Bluestone uses 90 percent local and regionally sourced food, and will ultimately bring 700 much needed jobs to the region, generating £35m to the local economy. A number of local partnerships started in conjunction with the development include a biomass plant providing all the heat requirements for the Blue Lagoon Water Park and Landsker Sports Club.

Networking events

The conference was opened on Tuesday evening with a reception, while various social events permitted useful networking opportunities. These included a visit to the famous St. David’s Cathedral where a concert was given by the Cathedral Choir. The formal conference dinner, on Thursday, was opened by the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan, First Minister for Wales who spoke of the importance of Ports to the future of a Sustainable Wales and the country’s economy. Simon Weston was the after-dinner speaker, delivering an inspiring and motivational talk that culminated in a standing ovation from the audience. A number of pre-conference meetings were organised:

• The Cruise Forum brought together key players within the industry and allowed collective debate between Cruise operators, local authorities, Government representatives and destination managers about the growth of this niche market in UK waters.

• The Safer Ports Initiative 2 is seeking to promote an integrated approach to health, safety and skills throughout the industry. Key to the successful delivery of the initiative are the central themes of Leadership, Sensible Risk Management, Industry qualifications and training opportunities as well as sharing good practice and partnership working.

• The BPA Fishing Ports Working Party meeting brought together large and small fishing ports to discuss industry issues and a responsible fishing ports initiative. This will establish a framework to recognise fishing ports that meet health, safety and environmental requirements and responsible fish sourcing and handling.

Milford Haven

The BPA conference itself was formally opened by Stephen Bracewell, BPA Chairman and Chief Executive of Harwich Haven Authority. David Benson, Chairman of MHPA, welcomed delegates to Milford Haven. MHPA is one of over 100 trust ports in the UK. In essence, a trust port can be defined as a commercial port business run for profit but not for dividend - there being no shareholders. Thus, what characterises the business approach of the port is the importance given to the way in which it supports the local economy, through the success of its own operation, and the synergy that it brings to the local community, particularly in terms of economic development. Milford Haven is a considerable oil port, the largest in the UK with two refineries on the waterway, Chevron and Murco (formally Total), as well as the UK’s largest tank facility, run by SemLogistics. Collectively, these three facilities handle the equivalent of 29 percent of the UK’s total oil consumption. As a by-product of these refining processes, the equivalent of 15 percent of the UK’s Liquid Petroleum Gas consumption is also handled at the port, including imports and exports. Late in 2008, one if not both, of the new LNG terminals being constructed on the Haven will be commissioned. These projects are Dragon LNG which is a partnership between BG, Petronas and Petroplus and the other is South Hook LNG which is a partnership between Qatar Petroleum, Exxon Mobil and Total. When fully operational, both terminals will provide at least 25 percent of the UK’s gas requirements with the potential capacity to supply up to 50 percent of our needs.

Andrew Davies, Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery with the Welsh Assembly Government, was the opening speaker. Davies outlined the important role ports have to play in developing Wales into a dynamic and sustainable economy. The Welsh Assembly’s encouragement of Short Sea Shipping (SSS) is included in the Welsh Transport Strategy. He concluded by saying that ports have a vital part to play in a first class transport system.

Policy issues

The sessions on Day 2 of the conference focused on Policy Issues relating to UK Transport Policy; Port Markets and Future Prospects; and Sustainable Development. The session on UK Transport Policy Issues was chaired by Stephen Bracewell

Richard Bennett is the Head of Ports Division at the UK Department of Transport (DfT). He provided a policy update and confirmation of the government’s light regulation for the Ports Sector. His updates included comment on the forthcoming Trust Ports Guidance: Modern Ports 2 and Planning Reforms under development. A need to strengthen Safety and Security was stressed, including reference to the Port Security Directive and Port Marine Safety Code.

Dougald Middleton, Head of Transport & Distribution at Ernst and Young provided a stimulating overview of the current market meltdown and his view of its potential impacts and opportunities for Ports. He shared his view that Trust and Municipal Ports are quality assets and play an important role in both national and local economies. There are investment opportunities, but flexibility should be maintained through ‘on balance sheet’ financing and short-term rather than long-term concessions. The session was concluded by Chris Cain, the Airport Project Director for Newquay Airport. Chris outlined the innovative transition project from a military to a commercial airfield, which will deliver around 700 jobs to the area. Chris stressed the importance of attracting ‘sticky’ scheduled airlines, through business and high end tourist demand. A crucial aspect of the development has been in developing an environmentally sustainable airport.

Port Markets

The session on “Port Markets and their Future Prospects” was chaired by Andy Brigden, Vice Chairman BPA and Harbour Master, Ports of Truro and Penryn. William Gibbons is the Director Passenger Shipping Association who followed up on the Cruise Forum discussions. He presented some of key benefits the growing volume of Cruise traffic can deliver to a port and its local economy including a positive influence on a ports image. Cruise lines have a number of requirements ports should provide including ability to book berths well in advance and a favourable geographic position. Partnerships with local tourism bodies are an important success element.

Gail Bradford from MDS Transmodal provided an overview of the short and long term prospects for Ro-Ro and Feeder Services for UK Ports. Ro-Ro forecasts for Great Britain (GB) to the Continent, GB to Ireland and Motorways of the Sea services were presented followed by prospects for Lo-Lo feeders.

Tim Lowry, Managing Director Coastal Bulk Shipping Ltd presented the potential for smaller ports and the transport of bulk transport of cargoes by water. Often undervalued, Lowry believes there is a need to fight small port closures. Water transport using smaller ships and ports is an option now available without the need for significant investment. This would also reduce road transport and could benefit from growth in new cargos such as biomass and waste for recycling. Government action is needed to level the playing field between subsidised road and rail facilities and water transport with its related port charges. The session was concluded by Sam Bourne, Chairman and Chief Executive, The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) who outlined the opportunities for ports and harbours to include marina facilities for leisure developments. TYHA introduced a code of practice in the early 1990’s to support the design, construction and operation of coastal and inland marinas. They also operate a Gold Anchor Scheme for marine operators.

Sustainable Development

Session 3, focusing on Sustainable Development, was chaired by Howard Holt, Head of Corporate Affairs, Port of Dover. Andrew Wood, the Executive Director, Operations, of Natural England presented the opportunities for ports and sustainable use of the natural environment. He feels the port industry has developed a good record for environmental stewardship in the last 10 years. Ports can play an important role in climate change. Short sea shipping and coastal freight can play a key role if the hearts and minds of logistics managers can be won. This is the time, Wood believes, for the port industry to be seen as leaders in carbon management.

Belfast Harbour is establishing itself as a carbon management leader. The Port was certified as a Carbon neutral® company in January 2008. David Knott their Safety and Environmental Manager has taken a systematic approach building on the OHSAS 18001 Health & Safety Management System to develop the port’s ISO 14001 Environmental Management system and carbon footprint management programme. Carbon neutral means net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon footprint process began in 2005. A 12percent reduction in emissions was achieved by the end of 2007 including 14percent electricity sourced from renewables, a 34percent increase in recycling to 72percent and a 35percent reduction in waste to landfill. The programme is supported by a port and community wide awareness programme featuring Webster (http://www. webstersays.com/). The session was concluded by Lars Carlsson, Chairman, Shipping Emissions Abatement & Trading (SEAaT). SEAat is a cross industry group formed in 2002 by eight organisations concerned by the need for efficient reduction of harmful emissions to air from shipping. Progress has been made with reduction in sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

There is still a long way to go with CO2 emissions. Improved scheduling is an option to avoid ships travelling at full speed only to wait at berth to discharge cargoes. Speed reduction has a very positive impact with 20percent less emissions from a 10percent reduction in speed.

Practical Issues

The conference sessions on Day 3 focused on Practical Issues relating to UK Transport Policy; Port Markets and Future Prospects; and Sustainable Development.

Session 4, Port Accidents and Safe Shipping Navigation, was chaired by Nigel Mills, Director of Harbours, Orkney Harbours.

Stephen Meyer, the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, stressed that the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) was not an enforcer or prosecutor. Its role was investigation, recommendation and communication enabling learning from accidents. Stephen explained the importance of the Heinrich Safety Triangle (see fig 1). For each catastrophic incident there are 600 near misses. If lessons are learnt from the minor events, fatalities can be avoided. Of particular concern is avoiding pilot complacency and fatigue and ensuring explicit verbal communication between pilots and masters to avoid misunderstandings. The session was concluded by Jeremy de Halpert, Executive Chairman Trinity House with a presentation on Our Crowded Sea Lanes – Trinity House plays a vital role in maintaining and operating the UK’s navigational channels and aids. He presented examples of over reliance on GPS and a failure by mariners to look out of the window. Incidents were occurring as a result. He discussed trials of eLoran, a more robust system to compensate for the growing risk of GPS signals being blocked. Work is also progressing for alternatives such as synchronised lighting to improve visibility of port approaches from background urban lighting. A number of navigational improvement schemes off the SE coast are underway to reduce risk of collision. Offshore wind farm proposals also present considerable challenges. Session 5, Marine Response to Hazardous and Noxious Substances, was chaired by Mark Sansom, Chief Executive, Falmouth Harbour Commissioners

Simon Rickaby (Managing Director) and Tim Brookes (Technical Support Manager) Braemar Howells presented their work in Incident Response dealing particularly with Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS). Ports able to provide facilities to help with an incident could gain revenue benefit. They provided a detailed review of the year’s salvage of the MSC Napoli from Branscombe Beach, supported by the port of Portland. It was interesting to understand the complexity and hazards of salvaging such a mix of cargo which included HNS, and the impacts of oiling and corrosion. Session 6, Legal Issues and Responsibilities, was chaired by Nigel Jardine, Harbour Master and Manager, Langstone Harbour Board and Ted Sangster. David Osprey, Head of Shipping Policy, Chamber of Shipping explained that under Section 31 of the Harbours Act 1964, there is a right of appeal to the Secretary of State for port and harbour dues considered excessive. Langstone Harbour successfully defended an appeal, but this is now being taken to a public inquiry. Nigel Parfitt is Head of Port Skills and Safety (PSS), an organisation funded by UK Ports. Responding to requirements from its members, PSS has launched the Safer Ports Initiative 2, together with the government’s Health & Safety Executive. The session was concluded by Robin Havard, Chairman of Morgan Cole Solicitors. Havard presented the consequences of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 Act for the Ports and Shipping Industry. Applicable within UK Sea limits and to any UK registered vessel relevant businesses would be advised to undertake a risk assessment of the impact of an accident and its subsequent investigation. Senior management can be held liable if they are considered to have contributed to a death through a gross breach of the relevant duty of care.

Leading Lights

Leading Lights is an award for Municipal Ports in England and Wales who have excelled in implementing the recommendations of the Municipal Ports Review of 2006. Jointly awarded by BPA, the DfT and the Department of Communities and Local Government, the 2008 winners were South Hams District Council (Salcombe Harbour) (accepted by Ian Gibson) and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (accepted by Martin Gallivan). The conference sessions were concluded by a lively presentation from Monty Halls, an Ocean Adventurer, TV presenter and Marine Biologist. Monty related his experiences from leading expeditions in extreme circumstances and described the stages of an expedition. Each person may reach a low point and either withdraw, become bitter or act with resolve to achieve success. Getting the right people in the team is critical. Organisations should look out for the ‘Morale Hoover’ who actively seeks the negative. However, enthusiasm is like a ripple. It gains momentum and becomes irresistible leading to an attitude of not ‘if’ but ‘how’ a result can be achieved. The week’s events finished with a Tour of Milford Haven Port, hosted by Mark Andrews, Harbour Manager, MHPA and Mike Ashworth, Port Manager. The port tour was distinguished by its two parts, ‘onshore and afloat’. The boat tour was exhilarating with a fresh breeze and an occasional drenching. However participants were delighted to have an opportunity to see the new LNG terminals closer to hand, and experience the extent of the harbour. A tour of the Pembroke dock area included a visit to the Sunderland Flying Boat Hangers, Grade II listed buildings. The Hangars have been restored with the aid of European Funding under the Objective One Initiative and are in the ownership of MHPA. They are currently being used for large-scaled engineering projects. The tour returned to its starting point at Milford Marina which has been subject to an ongoing programme of redevelopment. The Authority has been successful in creating a vibrant community of boat and leisure users, commercial and retail outlets as well as residential apartments. The conference organisers recognised the support of their sponsors: TT Club, Morgan Cole, Chevron, Entec, InterMarine and Mustang Marine. Sixteen exhibitors attended the conference, displaying a range of marine related technologies and services.

Captain Bill Estill, Port Manager and Harbour Master for Scarborough, Whitby and Filey invited delegates to next year’s conference. The 17th BPA conference will take place on the 7th to 8th October 2009 in Scarborough.

Further information and the conference presentations are available from the British Ports Association – www.britishports.org.uk