Fitzpatrick maps out ports future

Source: Supply Chain Digital

Date :20/07/2007 10:13:30

Shipping Minister Jim Fitzpatrick (pictured) yesterday committed the Government to maintaining its 'light touch' approach to the regulation of ports in England and Wales and announced a strengthening

He also announced the publication of an Interim Report setting out the findings so far of the Government's Ports Policy Review (PPR).

The Interim Report sets out specific actions on issues such as demand forecasting, the future of trust ports, Master Plans and the safeguarding of land for port operations where that is appropriate. In addition, it looks forward to further improvements through the future establishment of the Marine Management Organization and Infrastructure Planning Commission, which the government has announced in two recent White Papers.

Although the Ports Policy Review will not be completed until later this year, Mr Fitzpatrick explained that the government is already in a position to spell out a number of measures to promote greater transparency, stronger environmental performance and more co-operation in strategic planning. He said: "Central to our approach is our view that commercial port operators are best-placed to make decisions about where and when to invest. We do not propose any substantial change in the operating and regulatory framework for ports.

"But, recognising the vital importance of ports large and small to national, regional and local economies, it is the Government's responsibility to create the conditions in which investment is encouraged and sustainability is ensured."

Welcoming the interim report, the Freight Transport Association’s Head of Global Supply Chain Policy, Christopher Snelling said, ‘Hopefully it is a good sign that the Government has held back its decisions on inland connections, to co-ordinate with its response to Eddington. The Eddington Report was clear about the significance of international gateways to the future of the UK economy, and so we hope this will inform DfT’s thinking in that area.’