Unlocking growth opportunities in the UK port sector – learnings from the UK Ports Conference 2023
Waterfront Conference Company’s 15th Annual UK Ports Conference took place a few weeks ago and attracted over 160 delegates from across the industry. This year’s event offered unmissable insight into how the UK ports industry can achieve growth; as the sector has pushed past a challenging period, following ongoing changes in trade patterns, and is pressing on towards a successful future.
Attendees gained crucial insight from 42 industry leading speakers on overcoming the challenges ports are currently facing, and the opportunities for future development. Speakers ranged from ports operators and shipping companies to government representatives and those actively working on port development.
Representatives from several organisations – including ABP, Tyne, Blyth, Aberdeen, Portsmouth, Inverness, and Bristol Ports – explored how they have navigated the challenges faced in recent years and the vision for ongoing development and growth.
DLUHC, ABP, Liverpool Freeport and Teesside Combined Authority provided updates on the progress with the implementation of freeports. The wide-ranging discussion including feedback on the challenges facing implementation, one point highlighted was planning constraints – a theme that carried over to day two of the event.
The event provided an important space for government and industry representatives to come together and share plans and policies. Mike Alcock (Department of Transport) provided guidance on supporting port plans for growth, and Alexandra Beaumont (Head of UK Shore) on reaching maritime decarbonisation. Robin Mortimer (Port of London Authority) and Stephen Carr (Peel Ports) also gave important updates on where their ports have applied innovative methods to reach skills and logistics targets.
The second day sparked some fascinating discussions around navigating infrastructure planning to deliver the projects needed to support growth and development. Topics covered the progress in decarbonisation – with a focus on shore power delivery, supporting renewable energy development, the value of 5G and the adoption of automation.
The two-day event offered numerous networking opportunities, bringing together both UK and international attendees from across Europe and even as far as the Port of Melbourne. ! The breaks and networking drinks reception provided important opportunites to continue conversations away from the presentations, and a chance for senior attendees to connect about upcoming projects.
There were several sponsors, thought leaders and exhibitors in attendance over the course of both days, providing solutions to current difficulties and opportunities to improve port operations. Captain Abhishek Nair gave his unique insight into scaling up future fuels and how shipping can meet future decarbonisation targets, whilst Eudald Franquesa spoke about AllReads innovative cameras that are being used to improve port operations around the world.
The annual UK Ports Conference will return 22 – 23 May 2024.