Truck and Track Summer 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 82 PORTS On Tuesday 2 May 2023, Associated British Ports (ABP’s) Port of Ipswich, the UK’s leading grain export port, welcomed the maiden call of the MV Vertom Cyta, a brand new hybrid-electric shortsea General Cargo Ship. The Vertom Cyta is the second in a series of four new Vertom vessels fitted with a diesel-electric propulsion system, which provides a more sustainable option for shipping operations with increased efficiency and reduced emissions. The ship was officially launched with a ceremony at the Thecla Bodewes Shipyards facility in Kampen, in the Netherlands, on 23 February 2023. Following final fittings, the vessel departed the Port of Harlingen on Monday 1 May, and sailed under ballast to the Port of Ipswich. Whilst at the Port of Ipswich, Clarkson’s Port Services loaded the vessel’s very first cargo, 7,000 tonnes of wheat, which is due to be shipped to Portugal for her first delivery of commercial cargo. Andrew Harston, Regional Director, Wales and Short Sea Ports, ABP, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Vertom Cyta to the Port of Ipswich for her maiden cargo voyage. The Port of Ipswich has a proud heritage as one of Britain’s oldest trading ports, and ABP is pleased to continue its important trade heritage, while also having an eye to the future by welcoming vessels designed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly. “Vertom is a leading European ship owner who are building a fleet of new vessels designed to anticipate future trends with the capacity to convert methanol fuel or hydrogen power. “ABP is focused on supporting the energy transition and achieving Net Zero by 2040 through our new sustainability strategy – ‘Ready for Tomorrow’ – and it’s great to see hybrid ships such as the Vertom Cyta, working alongside electric cranes and electric vehicles at our ports to Keep Britain Trading sustainably.” Brand new hybrid-electric vessel loads first cargo at ABP’s Port of Ipswich For the first time, UK ports have the opportunity to systematically share security information to prevent and detect crime. The British Ports Association has launched a new security alerts system for rapid information sharing amongst industry to help prevent and detect criminal activity. The new system will involve BPA disseminating details of activity submitted by ports to others in the same region. This will improve security posture and raise awareness of suspicious individuals or patterns of behaviour. The industry’s Security & Resilience working group proposed the idea earlier in 2023 and a simple system has been trialled and is now live. Any UK port can sign up to receive alerts although recipients are checked regularly by BPA to ensure they have a legitimate need to receive such data. The BPA also checks data before it is circulated to ensure it is appropriate and distributed to the relevant port security professionals. The system complements the existing reporting regime, whereby ports report incidents to government. The BPA works closely with the Department for Transport’s security division and other Government security teams. Security Alert Example: Suspicious Vehicle A vehicle using several sets of vehicle registration numbers was identified as potentially being linked to a number of thefts of product, plant and machinery around a major port. In a trial, the port circulated photos of the vehicle and some distinctive markings to other port security professionals in the region. Other ports have been asked to share any sightings of the vehicle and be aware that it may be operating nearby. Andy Billings, Group Head of Security at ABP and Chair of the industry’s Security & Resilience Group, said: “I’m delighted that the industry is taking a proactive approach to improving security at our ports. This is a new dynamic approach to collaboration within the industry where ports can share information to help protect each other across the sector. “UK ports share a common aim in deterring and preventing criminal activity, whether that is cargo theft or smuggling. As a sector, we already work closely with law enforcement and government agencies and this initiative, proposed and led by industry, is a step forward. “We will continue to explore ways of working more closely together and more proactively on our shared ambition of securing UK ports.” Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive at British Ports Association and Chair of the UK Government’s National Maritime Security Committee (Industry), said: “We’re pleased that the BPA is able to support ports across the UK in quickly sharing information that can help to prevent and detect criminal activity. We are grateful to members for their openness and willingness to collaborate in pursuit of common security aims. “The success of the system depends on ports making use of it and I encourage all ports to participate, both in signing up to receive alerts and circulating information when appropriate. “The BPA will continue to explore policies and initiatives for tackling challenges and improving security at our maritime gateways.” UK ports can submit an alert on the BPA website or by contacting a member of the team. https://www.britishports.org.uk/security-alert/ UK Ports Step-Up Security Co-Operation with New Alerting System TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
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