UK SHIP REGISTER OPENS A WINDOW ON ITS FUTURE AT SHARD EVENT
The team from
the UK Ship Register (UKSR) is preparing to open a window on its future at the
London International Shipping Week (LISW) from 11th – 15th September, to show
how it is working towards seeing more UK flags flying in ports across the
world.
Meeting the
challenge of doubling the tonnage from 15 million to 30 million tonnes as set
down by the Maritime Growth Study remains a top priority, with the Shipping
Minister John Hayes renewing his assertion that although it’s a challenge, he
is determined it can be done.
Choice and
flexibility for customers, no annual tonnage fees, new ways of working for
Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors and plans to digitise many of the
services are just some of the things that the UKSR will be discussing at the
LISW as it works towards increasing the number of vessels registered in the UK.
The UKSR – which
is a platinum sponsor of LISW 2017 – will also be giving opportunities with
maritime industry leaders and other organisations across the week to talk about
how work continues to implement the recommendations of the Maritime Growth
Study.
One of the
biggest events will be ‘Opening a Window on the Future’ being held at the Shard
when the new UK Ship Register website (www.ukshipregister.co.uk) will be
launched and a new film about the work of the UKSR will be shown for the first
time.
Director of the
UK Ship Register Doug Barrow said: ‘We’re taking the opportunity to open a
window on the future of the UK Ship Register. We already know that we are a
quality flag for quality owners and we’re proud of what we have and are
achieving and we want the whole industry to know that.
‘We’ve listened
and we know that owners want flexibility. Our Client Technical Managers as well
as our Customer Account Managers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year. The MCA’s survey and inspection transformation programme has brought
changes to the way we’re available to offer surveys and the Enhanced
Authorisation Scheme means that for selected ships, more surveys and audits can
be carried out by MCA-approved Recognised Organisations.
‘These are steps
forward to the kind of flexibility that our customers asked for. This is the
kind of flexibility we are able to offer. Where we will not compromise of
course, is on our standards - those are high and will remain so.’
Shipping
Minister John Hayes MP said: ‘For any leading maritime nation, its ship
register has a special significance. I have personally backed the
recommendations of the Maritime Growth Study and remain committed to seeing
those being implemented, as many of them already have been.
‘We have a
strong flag and an extraordinary maritime history. We’re proud of the UK Flag’s
past but we’re equally proud of what we know we can achieve in the future.'