UK shipping's open letter to its new minister

The UK Chamber of Shipping has urged the new shipping minister, Kelly Tolhurst (pictured), to continue with its “excellent relationship” and help promote UK shipping. In an open letter to Ms Tolhurst, the chamber focuses on four themes, including decarbonisation and training, but also calls for “clarity on our future trading arrangements” .

“We want the government to prioritise and lead on developing and introducing a new ‘maritime chapter’ in bi-lateral and multilateral trade negotiations, to maximise the opportunities for the UK’s international shipping services. Any future UK-EU trade agreement must also recognise the existing high degree of economic integration, safeguarding and promoting shortsea shipping services on which this depends,” wrote chief executive Bob Sanguinetti.