A member of the British Parliament, John Hayes, has been announced as the new shipping minister, and is joined by Department for Transport under-secretary Claire Perry, following a reshuffle of the UK parliamentary cabinet.
The appointment of Hayes, MP for South Holland and the Deepings, also represents a promotion of the office of Shipping Minister to Minister of State level.
“As former Skills Minister… Hayes is well aware of a number of issues we face in the sector relating to seafarer training and shore-based skills,” said UK Chamber of Shipping chief executive Guy Platten. “We look forward to working with him closely in the year ahead, principally to further the excellent work we have already done together through our strategic partnership.”
Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) UK president Maria Dixon praised the decision to appoint Devizes MP Claire Perry as transport under-secretary, adding that it “proves once again that women have a serious role to play in the workplace.”
“Over the past 40 years WISTA has promoted the work of women in shipping and we have seen how important women are in any industry. Regardless of politics or gender, anyone with real flair, enthusiasm and desire to do well in any job will make a mark.
“We wish Claire Perry well and hope to see her fly the flag for transport in all its forms,” Dixon added.
Meanwhile Platten praised outgoing head of Transport Stephen Hammond’s tenure as “one of the most proactive shipping ministers for a long while.”
“His legacy will be one of increased investment in maritime training, lower light dues and the ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention.”
Copyright Ships & Ports Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit given to www.shipsandports.com.ng as the source.