ISSUE NO.8: WINTER 2018 10–13 16 –17 18–19 20–21 Making the case for a Port Skills and Safety on achieving Are free ports ABP Humber: gateway to hydrogen-fuelled future a zero harm workplace culture the future? Europe and opportunity North Sea Neighbours The longstanding trading relationship between the UK and the Netherlands 04–07 Insight from Britain’s Leading Port Operator 2 REPORT – WINTER 2018 REPORT – WINTER 2018 3 In this issue 16 –17 18–19 20–21 Port Skills and Safety on Are free ports the future? ABP Humber: gateway to achieving a zero harm Europe and opportunity workplace culture Ben Houchen, Mayor of the Tees Valley, Simon Bird, ABP Humber ports director Welcome to the Winter 2018 edition of Richard Steele, Chief Executive of Port discusses the trade benefits of introducing discusses how improved transport links have the potential to unlock additional Report magazine. 04–07 08–09 Skills and Safety (PSS), discusses future Free Trade Zones into the UK, as seen in the health and safety priorities for the industry. US and Dubai. trade on the Humber. As 2018, a busy year for businesses and North Sea neighbours: the Thriving operations in Westminster alike comes to a close, this Netherlands and the UK Southampton: Solent issue of our magazine looks beyond Brexit preparations. Stevedores We are reminded of the longstanding Kate Thompson Peace interviews Managing trading relationship between the UK and the Marjolein Bouwers, Chief Representative at The Director of Solent Stevedores, Fiona Robson Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO), about her experience of running a fast-paced Netherlands, and Dutch ambitions to ensure discusses our longstanding trading relationship. cargo handling business. trade continues to flow between our two countries in future, on pages 4-7. Developments in renewable energy, such as hydrogen and biomass, also play a key role in shaping the future of the maritime sector. On pages 10-13, ITM Power CEO Graham Cooley, discusses how hydrogen energy could make port operations more sustainable by eliminating their carbon footprint. Nevertheless, preparing for Brexit is still a vital theme in our sector as our Humber ports continue to invest for future growth, as outlined by Humber Ports Director Simon Bird on pages 20-21. In addition, the benefits of 10–13 14 –15 22–23 24–25 introducing Free Trade Zones into the UK, as Developments“ in renewable found in the US and Dubai, are discussed by Making the case for a Improving infrastructure Ports and biomass HMS Cambria: the Mayor of the Tees Valley, Ben Houchen. energy, such as hydrogen hydrogen-fuelled future decisions coming home to Cardiff The maritime industry’s commitment to Benedict McAleenan, head of Biomass UK, and biomass, play a key role long-term commercial success is paired with for ports lays out why ports are vital to the future of in shaping the future of the HMS Cambria, Wales’ historic Royal Naval biomass energy, which is the UK’s largest Reserve unit, will once again be based a strong focus on safety, which is reflected in Graham Atkins explains how the Government source of renewable energy generation. maritime sector. in Cardiff’. an article by the Chief Executive of Ports Skills ITM Power CEO, Dr Graham Cooley. should improve, and what ports could learn. and Safety, found on pages 16-17. This issue concludes with an exploration ” Also in this issue by Dr Shishank Shishank, Lecturer at Birmingham City University, of the potential benefits of Blockchain technology for ABP at the party conferences building more transparent, trusted and 28–31 secure global supply chains. — News Wrap H2 28–31 — In the loop 32–33 Associated British Ports is committed to the environment. — If you would like to share your A day in the life… perspective on the future 34–35 of trade and the maritime David Leighton — industry, please get in touch at waterless alcohol and carbon renewable recycled VOC free Group Head of Corporate Affairs LED substitute free neutral energy FSC® stock inks [email protected] View from the bridge Associated British Ports 36–38 4 REPORT – WINTER 2018 NORTH SEA NEIGHBOURS 5 North Sea neighbours: the Netherlands and the UK Marjolein Bouwers, Chief Representative at The Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) in Manchester, discusses the longstanding trading relationship between the UK and the Netherlands and the ambition to ensure trade continues to flow between the two countries in future. As North Sea neighbours, the relationship with the marriage between Mary II Stuart between the British and the Dutch has and Dutch stadtholder Prince William III “It was only with the endured for centuries. Both Britain and the of Orange, who then became King of marriage between Mary Netherlands have built on our illustrious England, that the British and the Dutch past as global players and are continuing truly made up. II Stuart and Dutch to be successful trading nations. Today, the economic ties between our stadtholder Prince During the 17th and 18th centuries, the two countries are very strong and of vital William III of Orange, Dutch ran the VOC (the United East importance for both. The Netherlands India Company), which was the biggest exported goods to the value of €22.7 billion who then became King trading company in the world and a truly to the UK in 2017, which makes the UK our of England, that the multinational corporation. Similarly, the second largest trading partner. Equally, the British created an immense empire which Netherlands are one of the UK’s top export British and the Dutch straddled the globe and left a lasting destinations after the US and Germany truly made up.” legacy, including the English language, and an important gateway for UK products which has become the lingua franca of into the EU – or rather ‘Europe’. As ports modern times. play a crucial role in both countries’ trade, it is not surprising that we have Both countries were affluent and their become important stakeholders in the economic success was accompanied by Brexit discussions. the worldwide projection of naval power, inevitably leading to rivalry and ultimately While the Brexit negotiations may have to confrontation. We declared war on each been as difficult as extracting an egg from other no less than four times during the an omelette, one of the outcomes should course of the 17th century and it was only be that we continue to work together. 6 REPORT – WINTER 2018 NORTH SEA NEIGHBOURS 7 “Our ties will never be broken. However high the waves may rise, the United Kingdom will remain an important partner, for the European Union and for us as your North Sea neighbour.” King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands for new warehouses and distribution in both countries will open up a wealth of “The Dutch maritime centres. These explorations could benefit knowledge for maritime clusters in both the sector recognises that this from the proposed LHOFT (Liverpool Hull Netherlands and the UK. Optimisation of Freight Transport) and other Irrespective of the export numbers, is also a time to seize port road and rail connectivity schemes contingency planning and political or from the creation of enhanced coastal new opportunities.” motivations, there is a strong desire to enterprise zones or free ports. maintain healthy and close relationships Naturally, there have been many concerns There is also a wider call to more actively with what many Dutch consider to be on both the Dutch and the UK side around exchange knowledge, skills and concepts their most like-minded friends in Europe. a potential increase in waiting times before in the areas of e-shipping and emission The proximity of our countries, our shared customs, increasing export costs and the free waterways, hydrogen generation, values and – as is often referred to by accompanying administrative burden, but cybersecurity and maritime clusters. Ports the Dutch – our same sense of humour, there will also be scope to strengthen our play an important role in emission reduction our entrepreneurial spirit and magnificent ties. While ports and related parties in the and are well positioned to take advantage maritime industries will continue to the supply chain are eagerly waiting for the of innovations in IoT, AI and big data to not inspire collaboration and strong business exact Brexit scenario, the Dutch maritime only improve flow, situation and customer partnerships. To quote the King of the sector recognises that this is also a time to management, but also address climate Netherlands during his recent state visit seize new opportunities. challenges. Yet they are not always fast to the UK "Our ties will never be broken." Recently, ports on the west coast of the to respond to and implement innovations. However high the waves may rise, the Netherlands and east coast of the UK have A closer collaboration between the digital United Kingdom will remain an important started looking into creating new container port transformation hubs, smart port partner, for the European Union and for us and Ro-Ro line hauls and opportunities clusters and maritime knowledge institutes as your North Sea neighbour." 8 REPORT – WINTER 2018 THRIVING OPERATIONS IN SOUTHAMPTON 9 Thriving operations in Southampton: Solent Stevedores were looking at where we could make a cleaner to keep on top of the housework dirty, grimy places but there is so much to some savings and the chaps suggested while she went through her treatment. love about them. that, while they like having the Bentley, Kate Thompson Peace interviews Managing Director “I wanted to do something that would really “I must admit, I still get a buzz every time they would understand if it had to go.