1. Introduction

1.1. This public consultation is to seek views on proposals for several modifications to the General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London (General Directions).

1.2. The consultation applies to all areas within the jurisdiction of the Port of London Authority and to a variety of river users navigating and operating on the Thames.

1.3. We would like feedback on the proposed changes, including any concerns regarding potential impact on safety or on operations, which may make the changes difficult to implement. We would also welcome any comments in support of the proposed changes.

2. The Consultation Process

Affected Parties

2.1. This consultation is directed towards river users and will be of particular interest to those who are involved in any commercial activities.

Consultation Duration

2.2. This consultation is now open and will last for 36 days. It will close on Friday 13th September 2024.

Conclusion

2.3. The information you submit may be made available to other parties. If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated as confidential. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request. If you make such a request, you will not receive a personal response.

2.4. We appreciate all responses to our consultations and we may contact you to reply directly to your feedback, however we do not respond to everyone. Replies are provided when required – such as a request for more information.

3. Responses to this Consultation

3.1. Reponses to the consultation should be sent so that they are received no later than the closing date detailed in 2.2.

3.2. Responses may be submitted in the following two methods:

A.
By post:
Marine Compliance Department
Port of London Authority
London River House, Royal Pier Road,
Gravesend, Kent
DA12 2BG

B.
By email:
[email protected]
(Please include the Consultation Notice number in the subject line (C02-24).

4. Proposal

4.1. Navigational safety is our highest priority. Therefore, in line with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code, we frequently propose changes to our regulations to ensure they remain relevant, effective and robust.

4.2. Various amendments are proposed as part of this three-year review of the General Directions and, whilst it is not practicable to detail them all, we provide two copies which will assist you in reviewing the proposed changes; a marked copy showing the location and basic details of the proposals and a clean version of the proposed new General Directions. The current revision of the General Directions is available on our website.

The completion of berth four at London Gateway is expected in the coming months, which is expected to contribute to a significant increase in trade on the river. In preparation for this and to meet the growing customer demand for pilotage services, the PLA has been continuing to invest in our team of Pilots. 

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

• William Hatch (right), who began his seafaring career in 2014 with Holland America Line and has since gained valuable experience as Chief Officer on worldwide itineraries with Seabourn Cruises. During this time, he developed a strong interest in channel pilotage and ship handling. Driven by a deep family connection to the PLA and its pilotage history, he is looking forward to contributing to the safe navigation of vessels through the Thames.
• Johnnie Cowie (left) started his career at sea with Maersk, sailing on tankers and container ships worldwide, working his way up to 2nd Officer on their tanker fleet. He then moved to work on an offshore supply vessel as 2nd Officer rising to Chief Officer with SBS Marine, where he worked on the East coast of India and in the North Seak, before moving to Gulf Offshore as Chief Officer and Master. His shore-based career started in 2019 when he took up a role as Deputy Harbour Master and Pilot at the ports of Ayr and Troon with ABP on the West Coast of Scotland. Continuing work in the Ports and Harbours sector he moved to the East Coast of Scotland as Marine Manager in Leith, then Harbour Master of Forth and Tay with Forth Ports.  He is now looking forward to returning to Pilotage and joining the PLA.  

Dave Newbury, PLA Marine Pilotage Manager said:

“We are thrilled to have William and Johnnie join our Pilotage team.

“Increasing our talent pool will allow us to sustain a resilient and quality service for our customers and increase the volume of freight transported to this country by river.”

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. 

Marking London Climate Action Week (22 June to 30 June), the Port of London Authority (PLA) has opened this year’s Thames Environment Fund.

As a trust port, the PLA’s role is to protect and improve the tidal Thames for all, handing it on in a better condition to future generations. To deliver on the environmental aims of the PLA’s strategy, Thames Vision 2050, this year’s funding aims to attract a wider variety of applicants, including from schools, charities and sports clubs with an interest in protecting the river.

Grace Rawnsley, Director of Sustainability at the PLA said: “We are excited to launch our Thames Environment Fund this year. We’re again offering £50,000 to fund a range of projects that foster environmental improvements on the tidal Thames. We welcome any applicants who share our passion and vision for the future of the natural Thames and its wildlife.”

In the past three years, the PLA has underwritten 14 projects, thanks to the Thames Environment Fund. Last year’s funding supported clean up events, repaired a pontoon and promoted the research on filtration of microplastics. Examples include: Greenwich Yacht Club’s purchase and testing of electric outboards, Medway Swale Estuary Partnership’s and Fulham Reach Boat Club’s litter picks.

Applications are open to any project ideas that will be of environmental benefit to the tidal Thames. The application period opens today, 24 June, and closes on Friday 30 August 2024 at 5pm. Projects may ask for up to £15,000.

Click here to download the application. (docx)

Second round project funding

Greenwich Yacht Club used its £14,355.45 grant for the purchase, installation and testing of 3 electric outboard boat motors, as well as an outreach initiative to educate members and the community about the benefits of electric outboards.

Fulham Reach Boat Club used its £2,000 grant to plan and engage participants in regular litter-picking sessions and use weekly water quality testing to educate participants on river pollution and collect a reliable dataset. 

£2,500 allowed South Dock Marina Berth Holders Association to extend the flora introduction in the Greenland Dock Lock Area with the addition of 8, 2-meter square floating planter sections to adjoin the existing line of 5, creating a reed bed of sufficient density to be self-sustaining. An ‘H’ layout will incorporate sheltered areas for bird life.

UCL's £12,500 grant enabled it to plan research filtration techniques to collect microplastics from the River Thames and develop a series of three prototypes to quantify their effectiveness. A report will be published outlining the project deliverables and the next steps for future research.

London Wildlife Trust received a £12,130 grant for the purchase of essential PPE, tools, equipment, and materials for the Isleworth Ait volunteering sessions. Access improvements to the landing allowed volunteers to undertake projects on the island: Osiers were harvested, and mostly replanted, trees obstructing the footpath were removed, and sycamore branches overhanging the summer snowflake and marsh marigolds (starting to flower in March) were cut back.

Medway Swale Estuary Partnership’s £2,250 grant allowed it to undertake monthly litter clean-ups on sites across the Thames and Medway Swale Estuaries. To date 63 volunteers have attended equating to 126 volunteer hours and 127 bags of litter have been removed from the foreshore weighing 874kg.

Tidey’s grant of £2,500 helped them create a project informing groups of students about river pollution and promoting litter-picking, caring for river wildlife, and protecting the river. The project also involved litter picking events with students on the foreshore, with data feeding into Thames21’s water pollution database and the PLA’s Cleaning the Thames. 

Port of London Authority Port Hydrographer recognised for his contributions to hydrography

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) yesterday awarded John Dillon-Leetch, Port Hydrographer at the Port of London Authority (PLA), with the prestigious Alexander Dalrymple Award for 2024. The accolade recognises his significant contributions to hydrography.

John was presented the award on World Hydrography Day during a ceremony organised by UKHO at the International Maritime Organization’s headquarters in London. The event was hosted by the UK’s National Hydrographer, Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh OBE, and was attended by representatives from the maritime sector.

The Alexander Dalrymple Award committee recognised John for his crucial role in advancing the PLA’s commitment to navigational safety, conservation, and sustainability. During his time as Port Hydrographer, John has enabled the PLA to develop one of the most proficient hydrographic departments in the UK.

John has also significantly contributed to the UK’s wider hydrographic community, playing a key role in the relaunch of University College London’s Master’s Programme in Hydrographic Surveying, which is supported by the PLA. This program, accredited by FIG/IHO/ICA as a Category A course, is pivotal in increasing the number of trained surveyors dedicated to the essential task of seabed mapping.

Commenting on the award, Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh, UK National Hydrographer, UKHO, said: “We take great pride in presenting this award to John for his significant and lasting contributions to hydrography. We recognise his outstanding impact on the Port of London Authority through his leadership as Port Hydrographer and his pivotal role in advancing hydrographic education. He joins a distinguished lineage of the world’s most influential hydrographers, and it is an honour to acknowledge his remarkable achievements.”

John added: “I am delighted and honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award. Steve Richie, who was the first recipient of the Alexander Dalrymple Award, wrote a book entitled ‘No Day Too Long - An Hydrographer's Tale’ which first drew me to the profession. Thirty years later, to be counted amongst its alumni is the highlight of my career. 
 
“I see the award as recognition of the Port of London Authority's consistent support and the value it places in the positive impact that hydrography brings to improving safety, efficiency and sustainability on the Thames, as well as the wider ports and shipping industry.”

Under John’s guidance, the PLA has become one of the first ports to sign a Strategic MoU with the UKHO. This partnership has unlocked significant innovations and efficiencies for both the UKHO and the PLA, marking a new era of collaboration and progress in hydrographic practices.

John continued: “Our relationship with the UKHO has been strengthened through our strategic Memorandum of Understanding, which focusses on the collaborative development, production, and delivery of digital charting products, processes, and data services. This will enable significant improvement in safety of navigation in our waters for all mariners.”

The UK Hydrographic Office has annually presented the Alexander Dalrymple Award since 2006. The accolade is named in honour of the first Hydrographer of the British Admiralty and recognises outstanding contributions to the field of hydrography. The UKHO's Executive Committee selects recipients based on their commitment to advancing hydrography, cartography, and navigation standards globally.

Photo: Sarah Dillon-Leetch

Public consultations launched today by the Port of London Authority (PLA) invites residents and stakeholders in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Gravesham Borough Council to help shape the future of the River Thames in their communities.

The consultations, running until 9 August 2024, marks the fourth and fifth in a series covering all riverside local authorities, and are a key step towards realising the ambitious goals set out in the PLA's Thames Vision 2050.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is one of the fastest growing boroughs in London, in part due to ongoing regeneration and housing growth across riverside areas including at the Greenwich Peninsula, Charlton Riverside and Thamesmead. Likewise, Gravesham Borough Council has an ambitious regeneration plan for future development, with 11km of Thames riverfront and excellent transport links to/from London and Kent.  

Both boroughs are supported by a number of essential operational and safeguarded wharves which serve the wider London and South East region, in 2023 transporting over 5 million tonnes of cargo on the river. In addition, they are home to several boat yards and other supporting marine infrastructure which are vital for continuing efficient operations across the Tidal Thames.  

Studies show that by 2050, the Thames will see a significant increase in cargo traffic and passenger services, while the river's potential for light freight and parcel transportation is also expanding rapidly. This consultation is crucial for ensuring that our plans align with the needs and aspirations of local communities.

The Thames Vision 2050 envisions a river that thrives economically, ecologically, and socially. Alongside increased trade and innovative logistics solutions, the vision prioritises environmental protection, the transition to Net Zero emissions, and enhanced access to the river for recreational activities.

These consultations provide a platform for residents and stakeholders to contribute their insights and help shape the Thames' future. By collaborating with local communities, the PLA aims to create a thriving river that benefits everyone.