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British Ports Association welcomes new maritime minister

Published by , Editorial Assistant
Dry Bulk,


The British Ports Association has today welcomed confirmation that Kelly Tolhurst MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport will be the Minister responsible for ports.

Last month the BPA set out a number of priorities for the ports industry in 2020. A number of huge challenges await the Minister this year. In addition to the introduction of Freeports and new trade relationships, sustainability, the energy transition, connectivity, innovation, and safety will all be filling the Minister's in-tray.

Commenting on the appointment, BPA Chief Executive, Richard Ballantyne, said: “Now is a pivotal time to take on the brief of maritime minister, with the current consultation on Freeports. Post-Brexit trade-facilitation is also high on the agenda, as well as sustainability and port connectivity. We look forward to meeting Ms Tolhurst at the earliest opportunity and building a constructive relationship based around a shared vision of a thriving maritime industry generating prosperity in coastal communities and across the UK.

We are today writing to the Minister to make sure that these and the other priorities we have set out this month are top of her agenda, not just in her Department, but across Whitehall.”

Kelly Tollhurst was appointed as a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport on 13 February 2020 and confirmed today as fulfilling the maritime, aviation, freeports, security, civil contingencies and will shadow the roads brief.

We are thankful to Nusrat Ghani for her enthusiasm and hard work as Ports Minister for the past two years, and wish her well in future.

The BPA was also pleased to see Rishi Sunak elevated to Chancellor last week, following his work with the sector on Freeports.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/shipping/19022020/british-ports-association-welcomes-new-maritime-minister/

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