4 June (Day 1): Latest policy, developing supply chains, and identifying growth areas for ports
08:45 to
17:30
Registration and refreshments
08:45 to
09:30
Chair’s welcome and opening remarks
09:30 to
09:40
Speaker:
Richard Ballantyne OBE.
Chief Executive.
British Ports Association.
Part 1: Latest policy updates and responding to changing shipping patterns
09:40 to
10:35
The opportunities and challenges for port growth and development
09:40 to
10:05
- Latest policies impacting ports
- How can ports respond to market and industry changes
- Delivering decarbonisation at ports
- The importance of ongoing innovation at ports
Speaker:
Doug Bannister.
Chief Executive.
Port of Dover.
Latest shipping market trends and trade patterns – what are the implications for ports?
10:05 to
10:35
- Latest dynamics impacting seaborne trade
- Update on bulk commodity and container shipping
- Challenges and opportunities in 2025
- Green shipping – what are the latest trends?
Speaker:
Trevor Crowe.
Director, Market Research.
Clarkson Research Services.
Morning networking and refreshments
10:35 to
11:05
Part 2: Delivering supply chain development and improved connectivity
11:05 to
12:15
Panel discussion: Improving port connectivity – developing port rail and road links to support onward transfer and supply chain development
11:05 to
11:50
- The plans for improving rail and road connections
- Incentivising the use of rail for onward transfer – the logistical and decarbonisation benefits
- Where are the issues with port connectivity and how can these be resolved?
- Reducing port congestion to support supply chain needs
Speakers:
Julie Garn.
Intermodal Director.
GB Railfreight.
Mark Hooper.
Director for Rail & Containers.
Solent Stevedores.
Julian Worth.
Chair, Rail Freight Forum.
CILT.
Adopting technology and automation to drive efficiencies in port operations
11:50 to
12:15
- What efficiencies are possible from new technologies?
- The use of automation – what operations can be automated beyond the use in container shipping
- Adopting technologies at ports of all sizes – what changes can bring advantages?
- What is working? Successful use of technology at ports
Speaker:
Martin Nyhuus.
Chief Information Officer.
DP World Marine Services.
Networking lunch
12:15 to
13:15
Part 3: Improving skills and safety at ports
13:15 to
14:25
Instilling a culture of safety in ports and establishing effective processes
13:15 to
13:40
- New approaches to port safety
- What methods are working?
- Promoting and effectively communicating a culture of safety
Speaker:
Debbie Cavaldoro.
Chief Executive.
Port Skills and Safety.
Panel Discussion: Ensuring the ports sector has the skills needed – the initiatives that are supporting improved recruitment and diversity
13:40 to
14:25
- Highlighting the career paths in the sector
- Recognising the changing skillset needed at ports created with the adoption of new technologies and the energy transition
- Managing recruitment and training – what idea and initiatives are working?
- Increasing diversity – is the gender imbalance in the sector improving and what more is needed?
Speakers:
Lorna Wagner.
Programme Manager.
Maritime UK Solent.
Matt Johnson.
Director.
South Coast Institute of Technology.
Chris Hatter.
Head of Compliance.
Portsmouth International Port.
Afternoon networking and refreshments
14:25 to
14:55
Part 4: Identifying opportunities for port growth and securing funding
14:55 to
16:10
Securing funding for port development
14:55 to
15:20
- What funding is available?
- Securing funding – how can this be done?
- How can ports access the UK Investment Bank
Speaker:
Andrew Meaney.
Partner.
Oxera.
Panel discussion: Identifying the areas for port growth and development – developing the business cases for investment
15:20 to
16:10
- What are the current plans and priorities for development?
- Managing growth with land constraints
- Securing the funding needed for port development
- Freeports – what are the plans for development and progress with delivery?
- Identifying opportunities to repurpose land – changing needs for urban ports and hinterland spaces
Speakers:
Phil Hall.
Port Director.
Peel Ports.
Sinclair Browne.
Chief Executive.
Port of Inverness.
Cathy Hall.
Masterplanner.
Associated British Ports.
Chair’s closing remarks
16:10 to
16:20
Close of conference and networking drinks (sponsored by Netcompany)
16:20 to
17:45