With the new fourth berth at London Gateway expected to be completed in early summer this year, significant growth of trade is expected on the river increasing demand on our vital service.

In 2023, the PLA achieved a 99.6 per cent pilotage service level for customers, during which our pilots guided 13,707 vessels along the river and estuary.

Embarking on a comprehensive training programme, which will equip them for the unique challenges of navigating the Thames, are:

• Patrick Kelly started his seagoing career as a Trinity House Cadet, before joining Princess Cruises as Third Officer, progressing to Second Officer. Patrick joined Stena Line in 2020 as Chief Officer and was subsequently promoted to Captain.
• Daniel Tolley began as a Cadet at Warsash Maritime Academy and has worked on Maersk container ships throughout his career. Eventually Daniel progressed to Chief Officer on the largest ships in the Maersk fleet.
• James Terry started at Thomson Cruises as a Cadet and, aside from year gaining experience in towage with Svitzer, James has spent his whole career at Thomson/Marella Cruises, working his way up to Staff Captain.
• Declan Farren, who studied at Fleetwood Nautical College, began his career at sea with Princess Cruises. He then moved to Virgin Voyages, working his way up to Safety Officer.

Dave Newbury, the PLA’s Marine Pilotage Manager said:

“Marine Pilots board vessels in all weathers 24/7, 365 days a year, with vessels carrying everything from food, fuel and vehicles, to building materials and aggregate. Guiding these ships to and from their berths within the river Thames demands a high level of specialised training, skill and navigational awareness.

“Expanding our pool of available talent means we will be able to remain resilient and will also help increase the volume of freight delivered to this country via the river Thames.”

This is a key part of its Thames Vision 2050’s Marine Centre Transformation Programme which will deliver a future-proofed Port Control Centre, with the right technology and resilience to support the next quarter century of growth at the UK's largest port.

The PLA’s Vessel Traffic Services are essential to providing operators with information and responding to developing traffic situations along the tidal Thames, to improve the safety and efficiency of navigation, as well as to protect the marine environment.

PLA’s Director of Marine Operations, Steven Clapperton, said:

“This is a multi-million-pound scheme and will provide London VTS with state-of-the-art equipment, enhancing and improving our operational performance. All delivered into a brand new operations centre ready to accommodate the expected growth of trade on the river, which is set to rise from 55 million tonnes per year to 78 million tonnes by 2050.”

PLA’s Head of IT, Anthony Fletcher, added:

“The technology within the Kongsberg system is tried and tested whilst remaining at the forefront of industry capabilities. KNC is a global market leader and the long-term partnership and support arrangements that will follow this installation put us in good stead for many years to come.”

KNC Ltd’s Sales Manager, Mike Sheard, said:

“It has been a pleasure getting to know the PLA and especially their Vision for the Thames in 2050. This PLA vision aligns with our funded Research & Development roadmap in terms of helping our customers and protecting the environment. I’m particularly excited because the contract includes an extensive Managed service support package ensuring the PLA will benefit from our forthcoming innovations including autonomy.”

The PLA’s Marine Centre Transformation Programme is a multi-million pound and multi-disciplined scheme to transform London VTS operations. The scheme is due to complete in 2026.

Introduction

Port Marine Safety Code & the Maritime Safety Plan

As required by the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC), the Port of London Authority (PLA) publishes its Marine Safety Plan for the conduct of marine operations in the Port of London every three years; this plan covers the period January 2024 to December 2026. 

This Marine Safety Plan commits the PLA to undertaking the proper management and regulation of marine navigation within the scope of its powers and authority, according to Port of London Act 1968 (as amended) and the PMSC. 

The PLA has a responsibility for maintaining the safety of navigation for all river users on the tidal Thames, together with a duty to improve and conserve the river and its environment. In managing the safety of navigation and the provision of services, the PLA always has the safety of life, vessels and the environment as its highest priorities.

What is the Port Marine Safety Code?

The ‘Port Marine Safety Code’ sets out a national standard for every aspect of port marine safety. Its aim is to enhance safety for everyone who uses or works in the port marine environment. 

It is endorsed by the UK Government, the devolved administrations and representatives from across the maritime sector and, while the Code is not mandatory, these bodies have a strong expectation that all harbour authorities will comply. 

It applies to all harbour authorities and other marine facilities, berths and terminals, in the UK and is intended to be flexible enough that any size or type of harbour or marine facility will be able to apply its principles in a way that is appropriate and proportionate.

Marine Safety Plan

2024-2026

Safety Management Systems

1. Over the course of the plan review all General and Pilotage Directions, Byelaws, Navigational Risk Assessments and SMS Documents. This review should refine content for ease of use and understanding - ensuring conciseness where possible - whilst continuing compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC).
2. Produce annual safety campaigns. Each campaign will aim to promote a culture of safety amongst river users and be assessed on its effectiveness through internal reporting. One campaign shall specifically target the promotion and embedding of the Thames CPD scheme role out.
3. Develop a multi-faceted, comprehensive wash-on/draw-off strategy to increase awareness of the associated hazards and best practice techniques, resulting in an overall improvement in safety culture amongst all relevant river users.
4. Any non-compliance identified through audit, to be closed within agreed time scales.
5. Following on from the success of the PLA’s Safe Boarding Week (launched in 2023), the PLA commits to running the campaign annually during the period of the plan. In addition, the PLA will work with operators, terminals and other organisations such as the UKMPA to continually improve the safety of vessel boarding arrangements.

Pilotage

1. Maintain a year-on-year average Pilot Service level of above 98% by providing a pilotage service of well-trained, suitably qualified and authorised pilots that is supported by appropriate recruitment.
2. Deliver a full simulator training programme for PLA Pilots to ensure PLA Pilot skills and knowledge remain current and appropriate to Class.

Pilotage Exemption Certificates (PECs)

1. Process all PEC applications for new certificates and renewals with 2 working days of completed paperwork being submitted, in order to avoid delays or additional costs to operators due to PLA administration of the PEC system. 

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)

1. Maintain an effective VTS across all sectors in accordance with UK national, IMO and IALA standards ensuring a 99.9% service availability for the life of the plan.
2. Ensure no VTS assisted navigational incidents take place.
3. Establish and commission a new, single location Port Control Centre to:
   1. Provide a seamless service along the river.
   2. Integrate with the expected evolution of systems onboard vessels.
   3. Handle the comprehensive planning needs of the increasing number of larger ships calling on the Thames.

Vessel Licensing

1. Complete 90% of all license applications within 10 working days of receipt.
2. Conduct a full review of the Human Powered Vessel licence scheme with an objective to simplify the process for the benefit of the stakeholder.

Vessel Survey

1. Achieve 100% follow up rate on withheld certificates.
2. Visit 100% of vessels who request a survey within 6 weeks.

Hydrography

1. Publish annually, and deliver, a SMART safety of navigation programme achieving a minimum 95% of target km.
2. 56 Tidal Station Calibration visits (four per Gauge per quarter).
3. Two x Tidal Stream Surveys per year.
4. Extend official ENC (electronic navigational chart) coverage to our up-river limits east of Teddington.
5. Complete the move to ENC First, providing digital chart products covering both the river and estuary, and accessible to all mariners (both leisure and commercial).
6. Identify, trial and implement technology to improve hydrographic performance (time taken from “Ping to Product“) by 10% over the period of the plan.

Management of River Works & Activities

1. 100% of works licence requests to be responded to within respective time frames.
2. Maintain a regular liaison schedule with Tideway representatives, ensuring that marine activities supporting conclusion of the Thames Tideway Tunnel project are managed effectively and adequately risk assessed using site specific risk assessments, and a project wide cumulative navigation risk assessment; the latter reviewed monthly.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

1. Run at least two incident management exercises per year dedicated to the training and development of marine staff.
2. Attend at least two exercises per year with external stakeholders such as local authorities and/or the emergency services.
3. Conduct at least one Oil Spill Exercise, which includes the activation of the Marine Emergency Centre, during the period.
4. Before the end of the period of the plan, establish and commission a brand-new ‘Marine Emergency Centre’ to facilitate the PLA’s ‘Category 2’ responder status under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

Enforcement & Prosecution

Recent and upcoming additions to the PLA’s General Directions will require initial monitoring and assessment to ensure the port fulfils its statutory duties. To that end, the PLA commits to;

1. Monitor compliance of General Direction 32 (Vessel Registration Requirements) and 34 (Continuous Professional Development) through:
   1. Harbour Service Launch spot checks – conduct at least eight per month for Middle HSL , and eight per month for Upper & Lower HSLs.
   2. Conduct at least one office based electronic check per month.
2. Monitor compliance of General Direction 10.1 (Discharge of Sewage) through a schedule of a minimum of ten vessel/organisational audits per year.
3. Ensure all bathymetric surveys at operational berths have been submitted to the Authority as per the requirements of Byelaw 51. Where such surveys have not been submitted as required, appropriate action is taken by the Authority to best ensure compliance.