An exploration of London’s port history by a quartet of Chelsea Pensioners started with a trip on the Thames (30 March).

Army veterans Chris O’Connor, Kenroy McDonald, Trevor Rafferty and Geoff Read travelled from Cadogan Pier in the west of the capital to the Museum of London Docklands, aboard a Port of London Authority (PLA) patrol vessel.

At the museum, they enjoyed a guided tour of London: Port City, an interactive exhibition, celebrating over 200 years of the Port of London, which draws on the PLA’s extensive corporate archive, stored at the museum.

Chris O’Connor, originally from Bexhill in East Sussex, who served in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Corps, said: “As riverside residents, we all have a strong interest in the history of the Thames, particularly how it has shaped the face of modern London.

“Our tour of London: Port City, led by exhibition curator Iona Ball, was packed with fascinating insights into the how the port, has evolved over two centuries.”

“I can highly recommend the exhibition as an Easter destination for Thames enthusiasts of all ages. It has something for everybody.”

The veterans’ river trip was hosted by deputy harbour master Darren Knight, from Bermondsey, whose grandfather was also a Chelsea pensioner.

London: Port City closes on 8 May 2022. There is no entry fee, but booking is advised via the museum website.

During the pandemic, London re-emerged as the country’s largest port, handling over nearly 52 million tonnes of cargo in 2021. The tidal Thames is also the country’s busiest inland waterway.

A PLA public consultation to update the Thames Vision 2050, charting the port’s future as Net Zero trading hub, destination and natural haven, concludes at the end of April.

The remains of a lighthouse that guided sailors on the Thames Estuary for 90 years have undergone a Repair Shop- style renovation in Gravesend, courtesy of the Port of London Authority (PLA).

With a distinctive Jules Verne rocket ship design, Shornemead Lighthouse was established in 1913 by Trinity House, on a strategically important bend in the river at Gravesend Reach, opposite East Tilbury Fort, 30 miles from London Bridge. Depending on their position and direction of travel, mariners see a red or white light.

The old lighthouse remained fully operational until 2003 and was only replaced when the marshy land surrounding its base started to erode, causing the structure to tilt.

Over the last year, a PLA-led team of engineers has worked to preserve and restore the lighthouse to its former glory, out of view behind scaffolding and protective sheeting.

The fruits of their labour now stand in pride of place at the entrance to the PLA’s depot at Denton, on the outskirts of Gravesend, where it has been stored since 2003 for safekeeping.

James Denby, PLA’s marine services manager, said: “The renovation work to preserve this piece of the Thames’ heritage has been an outstanding team effort.

“It has involved the careful removal of layer upon layer of old lead paint that had been applied over numerous decades.

“Parts of the metal structure had been seriously eroded by almost a century of maritime weather.

“Once everything had been stripped back and the original copper domed roof could be seen, we all knew that this was something a bit special.

“It’s great that the lighthouse and its unique design can once again be appreciated by the public.”

The village of Shorne and Shornemead Lighthouse take their name from Sir John Shorne, a 13th Century rector from Buckinghamshire, who had a reputation for curing malaria, once prevalent in the North Kent Mashes. He was also well known for “conjuring the devil into a boot.”

Jonson Cox CBE has been appointed as chair of the UK’s largest Trust Port, the Port of London Authority (PLA), by the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP.

Jonson Cox takes up his new role from 4 April 2022, succeeding Christopher Rodrigues CBE, who has been PLA chairman since January 2016. After an early career with Royal Dutch/Shell Group, Jonson served as managing director of Yorkshire Water group and later CEO of Anglian Water Group plc. He drove the restructuring of UK Coal plc as executive chair, leading the creation and listing of Harworth plc and serving as inaugural chair.

Jonson Cox has been chair of Ofwat since 2012, a role from which he will retire later this year. His prior Thames’ experience was as chair of Cory Group, leading its successful sale to infrastructure funds in 2018. His logistics experience includes nine years as non-executive director of Wincanton plc.

The PLA oversees the tidal Thames, home to the UK’s largest port and busiest inland waterway. It has just launched a consultation on Thames Vision 2050, the updated development plan for the river, charting a future as Net Zero trading hub, destination and natural haven.

PLA chairman, Christopher Rodrigues, said:

“It has been my very great pleasure to lead and support the PLA team as London grew to become the UK’s largest port. Thanks to the commitment of our staff, we were able to sustain the port through the COVID-19 pandemic, playing a key role supporting essential supply chains.

“Mapping and shaping the port’s future has been a major focus of the last six years. The resulting framework, Thames Vision 2050 - now out for consultation – sets the path for the river as trading hub, destination and natural haven. I look forward to watching Jonson and the PLA taking the Vision forward, making the most of the Thames, the nation’s Great River City.”

Jonson Cox said:

"I am delighted to take over as PLA chair, the second Thames-linked role in my career. The Port of London plays a key role in national life, from essential hub in supply chains to valued environment and iconic destination. I look forward to working with the team, continuing the PLA’s evolution as essential service provider and convenor, drawing the river community together, working to leave it in a better condition for future generations.”

Jonson Cox serves on the global policy council of I Squared Capital and is a non-executive director at Energia, the Irish energy group, and Ovo, the UK energy retailer.

Christopher Rodrigues is chair of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.

The former First Sea Lord and chief of naval staff, Admiral Sir Philip Jones has joined the Board of the Port of London Authority (PLA) as a non-executive director.

The PLA oversees operations on the tidal Thames, home to the UK’s largest port and busiest inland waterway. Sir Philip joins as the Board’s marine expert, with a particular focus on river safety. He served in the Royal Navy from 1978 to 2019, seeing active service in the South Atlantic in 1982, commanding frigates, the UK’s Amphibious Task Group, UK Maritime Forces and EU Naval Forces for Counter Piracy off Somalia, and the Fleet. He also served four times in the Ministry of Defence.

Sir Philip takes over as marine Board member from Ian Moncrieff, who retired from the PLA at the end of December 2021 after seven years’ service.

PLA chairman, Christopher Rodrigues CBE, said:

“We are delighted to have secured someone with Sir Philip’s experience as part of our non-executive team. He joins a Board with the blend of talents needed to support the PLA as we plan, with customers and stakeholders, for the long-term future of the UK’s largest port and busiest inland waterway. His expert insights into marine matters, particularly the application of new technology for the safety of navigation and the move to Net Zero will be invaluable.”

The PLA has just launched a consultation on Thames Vision 2050 the updated development plan for the river, charting a future as trading hub, destination and natural haven.

Sir Philip is a trustee of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI) and chair of trustees at the National Museum of the Royal Navy. He has recently joined BAE Systems as the military advisor for the Global Combat Ship programme.

Carbon-cutting concrete is helping re-activate an east London wharf, acquired by the Port of London Authority (PLA) to grow the use of the tidal Thames for freight.

Developed by Australian company Wagners, Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC®) is paving the way for building materials to be delivered by barge to Plaistow Wharf in Silvertown, for use in construction projects, in and around London.

Along with the adjacent Peruvian and Royal Primrose wharves, the site on the doorstep of London City Airport, has been acquired by the PLA, as part of its investment strategy to boost the river’s economy.

Keltbray, the PLA’s tenant at Plaistow Wharf, is leading the installation of EFC on site, in partnership with Capital Concrete, as well as the on the neighbouring Royal Primrose Wharf.

The product typically halves levels of embodied carbon, when compared with traditional alternatives.

On site to review progress (23 February), Steven Clapperton, the PLA’s director of sustainable marine operations, said: “It is exciting to see the latest green technology involved in re-establishing these wharves, which were so integral to London’s development as a major world port.

“Greater, sustainable use of the river for trade is an essential precursor to the capital delivering Net Zero.

“It’s an aim at the heart of our investment strategy, which is now delivering tangible benefits for the growing number of businesses involved in conveying goods and materials by barge, up and down the river.”

The energy savings EFC delivers are the result of an innovative binding system, utilising waste by-products, for example blast furnace slag from the production of iron.

Its other advantages include better durability, reduced shrinkage and increased fire resistance.

Following rigorous laboratory testing to meet strict industry standards, it has already been used in building projects across London.

Due for completion this spring, the marine works, covering 0.4 acres across the two wharves, to create safe areas for the loading and unloading of materials, are currently at their half-way stage.

Tim Lohmann, Keltbray’s director of strategic engineering, said: “Working alongside the PLA, we could not be more proud to be playing our part in the renaissance of the Thames as an eco-friendly conduit for freight.”

Work to reduce emissions from Port of London Authority (PLA) PLA vessel Driftwood II is nearing completion.

Over the winter, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system has been installed to the vessel’s two propulsion engines and generator, to cut levels of nitrogen oxides emitted from the exhaust.

The green upgrade has been co-financed by the Cross River Partnership, as part of Clean Air Thames, supported by the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund. The City of London Corporation is also a project partner.

PLA marine engineering superintendent, Jason Rudd, pictured, said: “Limited space on board Driftwood II required a complete overhaul of the engine room. This included converting an unutilised chemical tank to a fuel tank.”

When Driftwood II returns to service on the river this spring, researchers from University College London (UCL) will collect new data on the vessel’s exhaust emissions. The results will be compared with studies undertaken before the refit.

Driftwood II is used to clear river debris and maintain moorings.

Clean Air Thames is also funding similar improvements to GPS Marine’s tug, GPS Anglia, involving the installation of a new, single auxillary generator, replacing two older ones.

When the works are completed later this year, the vessel is due to support construction works for the Silvertown Tunnel, using 100 per cent hydrotreated vegetable oil, not fossil-derived gas oil, which will further reduce her emissions.

UCL will also be monitoring the improvements from the GPS Anglia changes.

CRP will publish the project's overall findings and lessons learned.