Recommendation 35

For the ports sector to be effective and competitive it is important that the government department and agencies they work with have a good understanding of their role and competencies. We note that, alongside the responsibility of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to investigate compliance under the Seafarers’ Wages Bill, there will be important enforcement roles for harbour authorities including, ultimately, 60 Maritime 2050 refusing access to their ports to non-compliant operators. This is potentially a worrying sign that the role and responsibilities the Government expects of ports are subject to mission creep.