As part of London International Shipping Week (LISW), yesterday
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency hosted The Future of UK
Maritime: Skills, Technology and Sustainability at the House
of Lords. With around 150 guests in attendance, the event was an
opportunity to engage with experts across the MCA, highlighting
why the UK is at the forefront of maritime regulations,
innovation and technology.
An opening address from MCA Chief Executive Virginia McVea shared
updates on how the MCA ensures customers of the UK Flag receive
dedicated and specialised service provided by technical experts
travelling across the globe, and outlined how the MCA continues
its collaboration with business, tackling the significant
challenges facing the industry.
Updates were then provided from policy leads about their
wide-ranging work, including initiatives to support future
seafarers, the pioneering of alternative fuel options, and an
overview of smart shipping and autonomous operations.
The ongoing success of the UK Flag and the advantages it offers
to ship owners globally was the penultimate talk of the
afternoon, before MCA Chairman Stevens brought the event to a
close, acknowledging the UK Government's dedication to seafarers,
future fuels and ambitious decarbonisation targets.
Chief Executive Virginia McVea said:
The MCA is behind a breadth of work that is driving the evolution
of the maritime industry forward, including advancements in
navigation and drift modelling, the Maritime Safety Information
service, Shipping Forecast, and paving the way for vessels
running on alternative fuels.
Our event at LISW has given just a snapshot of how the MCA is
enabling industry and working towards a future that is
sustainable, innovative and technology-driven, with the safety
and welfare of seafarers a continued and key priority.
LISW continues with a range of events including Clean Maritime
Day 2025, which will feature project displays, and
industry-led and panel discussions on the future of clean
maritime. Earlier this week, the Department for
Transport announced £448m for the next phase of UK
Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) funding and the
Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy.
Now in its twelfth year, LISW provides an opportunity for
leaders, experts, and innovators from across the globe to
showcase world-class advancements in the maritime sector as well
as serving as a platform to discuss key issues affecting the
constantly evolving shipping industry.
