Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
1
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
We commend the Government for creating the first, and arguably long overdue, long-term strategy for the maritime sector in the UK. This showed a welcome commitment to the maritime sector, and recognition of its overall importance to the UK economy. We note that the sector has been complimentary about the …
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We commend the Government for creating the first, and arguably long overdue, long-term strategy for the maritime sector in the UK. This showed a welcome commitment to the maritime sector, and recognition of its overall importance to the UK economy. We note that the sector has been complimentary about the process of collaboration and dialogue with the Government that produced the strategy. It is vital that such dialogue continues as Government priorities develop.
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Government response AI summary
The Government welcomes the Committee’s recognition of the importance of the maritime sector and recognises the importance that maintaining their excellent relationships with the sector will play in delivering the strategy’s shared vision.
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Department for Transport
3
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
The maritime sector has demonstrated its resilience and adaptability in maintaining the supply chain in exceptionally difficult circumstances, with goods being transported throughout the covid-19 pandemic.
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the committee's recognition of the maritime sector's importance and reaffirms its commitment to the sector and delivering Maritime 2050.
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Department for Transport
4
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
The Government’s publication timetable means that the next Trade Route Map update is due in 2024. Given the global shocks that have occurred since 2019, there is a need for a permanent resilience plan, not just a singular response to the pandemic. The Government should bring forward the publication of …
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The Government’s publication timetable means that the next Trade Route Map update is due in 2024. Given the global shocks that have occurred since 2019, there is a need for a permanent resilience plan, not just a singular response to the pandemic. The Government should bring forward the publication of the updated Trade Route Map as soon as possible, focussing on how it will assist the industry to build and maintain long-term resilience in supply chains. (Paragraph 24) Competitive advantage
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the need for a permanent resilience plan and is considering when best to revise the Trade Route Map, highlighting the maritime sector's vital role in facilitating global trade and committing to working with industry to make trade easier by removing barriers.
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Department for Transport
14
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
There is a fine balance that needs to be struck when it comes to regulating for smart shipping and autonomous vessels. It is important that innovation is able to flourish whilst ensuring that safety standards are maintained and that there is a measure of certainty to guide investment. Leadership and …
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There is a fine balance that needs to be struck when it comes to regulating for smart shipping and autonomous vessels. It is important that innovation is able to flourish whilst ensuring that safety standards are maintained and that there is a measure of certainty to guide investment. Leadership and coordination—of the kind promised by the proposed Centre for Smart Shipping—are also crucial. There is a major commercial opportunity for UK innovators, who have been at the forefront of developing marine and maritime autonomy to date. This momentum must not be lost.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee. Funding has been devoted to the Centre for Smart Shipping with an aim to launch the scheme before the end of 2023 and provide a coordinating function in new and emerging technologies.
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Department for Transport
18
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
There are a number of challenges facing innovation in the maritime sector. Some of these the Government has started to address, such as by supporting an Innovation Hub at the Port of Tyne, to help break down barriers to collaboration. We welcome this.
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There are a number of challenges facing innovation in the maritime sector. Some of these the Government has started to address, such as by supporting an Innovation Hub at the Port of Tyne, to help break down barriers to collaboration. We welcome this.
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Department for Transport
24
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
Coastal shipping and inland waterways have been overlooked within Maritime 2050. We agree with the sector that this is a missed opportunity. To fully harness the UK’s competitive advantage, the Department for Transport should undertake its promised research into the potential for coastal shipping and inland waterways, which should be …
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Coastal shipping and inland waterways have been overlooked within Maritime 2050. We agree with the sector that this is a missed opportunity. To fully harness the UK’s competitive advantage, the Department for Transport should undertake its promised research into the potential for coastal shipping and inland waterways, which should be seen as an area of growth for domestic seafaring jobs.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation and states coastal shipping and inland waterways are an element of the Future of Freight plan, and that they will look to undertake the recommended research and ensure any opportunities afforded by coastal and inland waterway shipping are recognised.
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Department for Transport
28
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
By its own admission, the maritime industry recognises that diversity in the workforce needs to improve. It also faces a visibility challenge, with awareness of the wide variety of exciting careers available in the sector being low. Expanding the talent pool and making maritime career paths better known are directly …
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By its own admission, the maritime industry recognises that diversity in the workforce needs to improve. It also faces a visibility challenge, with awareness of the wide variety of exciting careers available in the sector being low. Expanding the talent pool and making maritime career paths better known are directly linked, and require sustained effort from both the sector and Government. (Paragraph 153) Maritime 2050 59
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation, highlighting the Seafarers’ Wages Act, cooperation with the French and Spanish Governments, and a £2.4m grant for Welfare, Maritime Skills and Careers to support seafarer welfare, maritime skills, careers and diversity.
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Department for Transport
29
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
P&O Ferries’ treatment of workers in March 2022 has not only affected the 800 seafarers directly involved but damaged the perception of the maritime sector for potential new recruits. It is imperative that the Government ensures that seafarers and potential future seafarers know they are valued and are not deemed …
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P&O Ferries’ treatment of workers in March 2022 has not only affected the 800 seafarers directly involved but damaged the perception of the maritime sector for potential new recruits. It is imperative that the Government ensures that seafarers and potential future seafarers know they are valued and are not deemed expendable. This is essential for both maintaining the current talent pool and enabling it to expand in the future. To this end, we call on the Government to publish a report on its nine- point plan for seafarers’ protections as soon as is practical.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation. The Seafarers’ Wages Act received Royal Assent on 23 March 2023, and is now law. DBT has launched its consultation on a Code of Practice on ‘fire and rehire’.
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Department for Transport
31
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
Welfare standards are inextricably linked to contractual terms and conditions, however. It is not sufficient for the Government to rely on the glacial progress made in amending the Maritime Labour Convention. The MLC is a set of minimum international standards designed for the deep sea sector—not, for example, for short …
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Welfare standards are inextricably linked to contractual terms and conditions, however. It is not sufficient for the Government to rely on the glacial progress made in amending the Maritime Labour Convention. The MLC is a set of minimum international standards designed for the deep sea sector—not, for example, for short sea ferries. The Government must take the lead by showing its ambition to significantly exceed these minimum standards.
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Government response AI summary
The Government notes the recommendation, stating that the Seafarers’ Charter will initially launch on a voluntary basis and they will continue to explore options to further enhance seafarer welfare, undertaking research and working with international organizations.
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Department for Transport
32
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
All seafarers should be paid a reasonable wage and be guaranteed good working conditions, including safe roster patterns. We did not take evidence specifically on the provisions of the Seafarers’ Wages Bill, but we consider that while it is in itself a welcome and necessary step, it will not be …
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All seafarers should be paid a reasonable wage and be guaranteed good working conditions, including safe roster patterns. We did not take evidence specifically on the provisions of the Seafarers’ Wages Bill, but we consider that while it is in itself a welcome and necessary step, it will not be sufficient to ensure proper treatment of seafarers.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation, states that it saw the need to act swiftly to protect seafarers from wage exploitation and will monitor the uptake of the charter and keep the need for further legislation under review while continuing to explore options to further enhance …
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Department for Transport
33
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Maritime 2050
Acknowledged
The Seafarers’ Wages Bill’s aims must also be supported by the promised welfare charter, which we urge the Government to bring forward as soon as possible. This must include concrete action to hold employers to high standards and to support better mental health among seafarers, and must be underpinned with …
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The Seafarers’ Wages Bill’s aims must also be supported by the promised welfare charter, which we urge the Government to bring forward as soon as possible. This must include concrete action to hold employers to high standards and to support better mental health among seafarers, and must be underpinned with funding where necessary. We feel that the Government’s current plan to ask operators to sign up voluntarily will not give the assurances and protections that seafarers want and deserve. We therefore call on the Government to make signing up to the charter a mandatory requirement for all UK maritime operators. The relationship of this work to the ‘social framework’ envisaged by Maritime 2050 should be clarified. (Paragraph 171) Cross-government working
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Government response AI summary
The Government notes the recommendation, stating that the Seafarers’ Charter will initially launch on a voluntary basis and they will continue to explore options to further enhance seafarer welfare, undertaking research and working with international organizations.
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Department for Transport