26 January 2011 - 1 January 0001, 00:00 -

UK Ports Policy - Planning for the Future

Bircham Dyson Bell, Westminster, London

The Coalition Government and recent and proposed changes to policy and legislation will have a substantial impact on the future of UK ports. In particular changes to the planning system with the abolition of regional planning and a Localism Bill expected this Autumn will have significant implications for port development.

The MMO has recently come into operation with a Marine Policy Statement currently being consulted on and Marine Plans to be developed. Changes to the planning regime for major projects are also underway with the abolition of the IPC and the draft National Policy Statement for Ports currently under review.

Meanwhile back-dated port rate charges have been frozen and the recommendations in the Atkins report on light dues are now being implemented.

This conference examines the impact of the new Government on the future of ports and the marine sector. The following will also be covered:

• Ensuring the future of the UK ports industry
• Future priorities for the ports industry
• Future demand and capacity projections
• Developing a National Policy Statement for ports and the future for major project delivery
• The impact of localism on port development
• The opportunities ports provide for renewable energy development
• Ports and the energy industry - challenges and opportunities
• Developing a unified marine consents regime
• Progress with developing a Marine Policy Statement and Marine Conservation Zones
• Reporting on infrastructure ownership and control - conclusions from the interim report
• Trust ports - constitutional change or outright sale?
• Light dues policy: implementing the Atkins report

Confirmed speakers include:

Mike Penning MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
Julian Brazier TD MP - Joint-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Maritime and Ports Group
Mike Garratt - Managing Director, MDS Transmodal
Robbie Owen - Partner and Head of Major Projects, Bircham Dyson Bell
Martin Hendry - Director, Adams Hendry
Peter Nears - Strategic Planning Director, The Peel Group
Simon Bird - Chief Executive, The Bristol Port Company
Heather Clayton - Senior Director, Office of Fair Trading


For further conference information please click here