The Port of London Authority (PLA) is working with property developers, London & Regional, and the Royal Docks Team (RDT) to deliver the first new shipyard on the Thames for over a century at Albert Island in the London Borough of Newham.

Use of the Thames has been growing rapidly in recent years, with increasing passenger services, barge movements and deep-sea trade. The planned shipyard forms part of Albert Island, London & Regional’s 25-acre, multimillion-pound industrial regeneration scheme in the Royal Docks. The whole area is undergoing significant transformation as London’s only Enterprise Zone and presents a unique opportunity for a skilled maritime operator to develop dedicated facilities and highly skilled jobs for local people, serving the UK’s busiest inland waterway.

Development of a London shipyard is in line with wider Government moves to reinvigorate shipbuilding in the UK; an updated National Shipbuilding Strategy is due to be released later this year. This is expected to take in broader merchant and other vessels, alongside the current strategy’s focus on vessels for the Royal Navy.

PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer, explained:

“The Thames has been the centre of a river renaissance over the last decade, with continuing investment in new vessels and services of all kinds. This shipyard opportunity has major significance, as it will put the essential repair and maintenance facilities at the heart of the busy river. Once developed it will mean services can be provided swiftly, saving operators time taking vessels to yards off the river and minimising downtime.”

News of the planned development has been welcomed by the Government, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the London Borough of Newham.

Shipping Minister, Robert Courts MP, said:

“As an island nation, shipbuilding has long been a source of pride for the UK and it’s encouraging to see the industry continue to grow.

“Building this new shipyard is a fantastic opportunity to support hundreds of jobs in the UK and forge ahead with the Government’s ambition to reinvigorate shipbuilding right across the country.”

The GLA supports development of a new strategic-scale boatyard through the London Plan. The centre would be a transport engineering hub and will benefit from significant investment already underway across the area, including transport infrastructure and local education and training provision.

The 3.3-acre shipyard development at Albert Island, one of three strategic sites in the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone, already has outline planning permission. The PLA is currently seeking expressions of interest from potential operators of the facility at the eastern end of the Royal Docks.

Deputy Mayor, Planning, Regeneration and Skills Jules Pipe, said:

“The Royal Docks is one of London’s most exciting areas of regeneration and it’s great that shipbuilding is returning to this part of the Thames.

“The partnership between London & Regional and the PLA is driving delivery of this important new asset for London which will bring with it new, skilled jobs as part of our developing industrial engineering base.”

A 2020 study of the economic impact of Thames’ operations found that there are 780 full-time equivalent jobs in the London Borough of Newham linked to the river, and that those operations generate value added each year of £162 million.

The Mayor of Newham and Co-Chair of the Royals Docks Enterprise Zone Board, Rokhsana Fiaz, added:

“The river has always been of strategic importance to Newham and this exciting and historic development of a new shipyard at Albert Island in the Royal Docks will create another major asset for the borough. Most significantly, as part of my community wealth building agenda, we’ve agreed to a target with London & Regional that 35% of the construction workforce and many of the shipbuilding workforce will be recruited through the Council’s Our Newham Work jobs brokerage service.”

The shipyard is expected to feature a boat lift and other infrastructure. The selected operator will be expected to obtain all relevant consents in accordance with the policies in the London Plan, Newham Local Plan, plus permits/licenses from the PLA, the Marine Management Organisation and the Environment Agency.

All expressions of interest must be received by 16 July 2021.

Notes to editors

• The redevelopment of Albert Island is being led by London and Regional (L+R) properties in partnership with the Mayor of London, the Mayor of Newham, the Royal Docks Team (RDT) and the Royal Docks Management Authority (RoDMA).
• The Royal Docks Enterprise Zone is a joint project between the Mayor of London, the London Borough of Newham, led by Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz, and the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP). It has the potential to deliver 35,000 jobs, 4,000 new homes and more than £5 billion of inward investment by 2037/38. As London’s only Enterprise Zone, the Royal Docks has a special government designation that means new business rates in the Zone are reserved and reinvested into the area. This has enabled plans for £314 million of investment into the area over the next 10 years to revive the area as a distinctive location for business and culture. www.royaldocks.london

On Women in Engineering Day (23 June 2021), Rosie Arrowsmith, a Port of London Authority Marine Engineering Apprentice, has advice for young women considering their career options.

River beginnings

“I was born in Erith, so I’ve always been near the river.

“I love that the Thames is right on my doorstep.

“I have sailed from a young age and am a member of Erith Yacht Club, which is based just above Crayfordness.

“As a child, we often went on family trips to Greenwich, so I know that part of the river well too.

“One of my favourite stretches of the river, is at Richmond Lock, just past Kew Bridge. It’s so peaceful but there’s lots to see.”

Engineer inspired

“My dad was the one who got me interested in cars and engines.

“Once I realised boats can have engines, I knew I wanted to study Marine Engineering.

“Later this year, I’ll be a fully qualified engineer.

“One life hack I’ve learned would be, that each ring spanner has a different mould, so you can use one and swap to another for a better angle.

“Also, a lick of paint should never be underestimated, with how it can transform a project.

"In ten years’, perhaps I’d like to move into a management role, but still with plenty of time on the tools.

“It’s so important for women to be given the same opportunities as men.

“Women are able to offer a different range of skills and outlook on jobs, compared to male counterparts.

“My engineering hero is Isambard Kingdom Brunel, due to his immense prowess he was able to build a variety of dockyards, bridges and tunnels, the Great Western Railway and the SS Great Britain. What isn’t there to be inspired by?”

PLA progress

“I started at the PLA in 2017, after leaving school.

“An apprenticeship is the perfect pathway for any school leaver wishing to be apart of the engineering industry.

“Lockdown was initially a real challenge due to the lack of practical work I could do, but I soon realised it gave me the perfect chance to get ahead on my theory course work.

“The best advice I could give to my younger self would be to take every opportunity that is presented to you with open arms.

“My stand-out moment at the PLA would have to be learning how to walk in heels, with the assistance of one of the engineering technicians, a day before the premiere of a video I was part of.

“My colleagues would say I’m hard-working, determined and fun. I’m working on honing my skills and gaining confidence.

“I love being able to do a variety of engineering disciplines in a week, or even a day!

“Going to college, and working at the PLA, I love meeting different people who all have the same interest in engineering I do.

“To future PLA apprentices: the hard work is so worth it. Stick with it and it will fly by.”

Quick fire:

• What’s one thing you became better at over lockdown? Zoom meetings!
• Favourite band? Blink-182.
• Next holiday destination? Wales or Cornwall, not sure yet.
• One thing that’s always in your fridge? Chocolate.

Anthony Fletcher has been appointed head of information technology at the Port of London Authority (PLA).

He joins the Gravesend-based organisation, responsible for safety, recreation and trade on the tidal Thames, from the Harwich Haven Authority in Essex, where he has worked since 2009, with a remit covering information technology, business systems, and stakeholder engagement. Previously he was a self-employed software developer.

Julie Tankard, PLA chief financial officer said: “Maximising the potential of IT will be key to meeting the goals of our Thames Vision strategy, so it’s great to be able to deploy Anthony’s extensive experience in the sector.

Anthony said: “I am looking forward to the challenges of ensuring the resilience and development of PLA’s IT infrastructure in a fast-moving world, as the port adapts to new circumstances post the pandemic, including the drive to meet our Net Zero commitments."

Anthony succeeds Andy Wallace, who retired in May, following 30 years of service for the PLA.

Julie Tankard added: “In his remarkable career, spanning three decades, Andy successfully guided the PLA into the modern world of information technology, which is so important to our ability to provide a 24/7 resilient service to our customers and other river users. We wish him well in his well-earned retirement.”

The tidal Thames, not the boardroom, beckons for more Port of London Authority (PLA) apprentices.

Responsible for the river between Teddington and the North Sea, the PLA is recruiting three apprentices to join its marine operations and engineering teams, based in Gravesend, Kent.

Glenn Witham, director of human resources, said: “We want to create long-term opportunities and careers for our apprentices. They are key to the future of the PLA and the wider marine sector.

“These new recruits will join an established team of eight apprentices, who are making a big contribution to the success of the PLA and the river.”

Training and liaison officer, Rachel De Bont, added: “Our apprentices encounter all aspects of the river, from the cargo vessels downriver at London Gateway to the recreation and sport upriver at Putney.

“These new vacancies are an exciting opportunity to start a career on the tidal Thames, supported by first class training opportunities.”

There are two marine operations vacancies and one for a marine engineer apprentice.

The closing date for applications is Monday 5 July.

Applicants must be 18 years of age by 1 September 2021.

• Guy’s and St Thomas’ has teamed up with CEVA Logistics and Livett’s Group to trial a riverboat delivery service on the River Thames
• It’s part of the Trust’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and tackle air pollution
• The pilot launches on Clean Air Day on Thursday 17 June

An NHS trust has become the first in the country to pilot a daily riverboat delivery service as part of plans to reduce its carbon footprint.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with CEVA Logistics and Livett’s Group to trial the service on the River Thames.

If the proof of concept pilot is successful, the service will operate on a larger scale, removing trucks from the capital’s roads while providing a reliable delivery route into London during the day. The Trust’s three delivery trucks currently travel around 1,500 miles per week. For each truck removed from the road, approximately 708 kgs of CO2 could be saved per week.

The service would help Guy’s and St Thomas’ work towards its aim of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030, and support the Mayor of London's aim to reduce the number of lorries and vans entering central London in the morning peak by 10% by 2026.

The riverboat pilot service will run twice a day, five days a week. Parcels will be loaded onto the boat at Dartford International Ferry Terminal in Kent, before making the journey to Butler’s Wharf Pier in London. The parcels, which include clinical supplies for operating theatres, will then be transported by Absolutely, the final mile delivery partner, on electric cargo bikes to Guy’s Hospital.

The three-month pilot launches on Clean Air Day on Thursday 17 June. Earlier this month Guy’s and St Thomas’ unveiled its sustainability strategy which sets out a clear path towards more sustainable healthcare for the next 10 years. The pilot is just one of the initiatives that the Trust has introduced to help reduce its carbon footprint and to become more sustainable.

In 2019, the Trust worked with CEVA Logistics to open a consolidation supply chain hub in Dartford close to the M25, which has reduced the number of daily truck deliveries onto the hospital sites by 90%. The Trust is also planning to introduce a fleet of three large electric trucks to deliver consolidated deliveries from the supply chain hub.

This initiative followed the switch to cargo bikes when transporting blood and tumours for testing between Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital, which replaced vans and motorbikes.

David Lawson, Chief Procurement Officer at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “The riverboat pilot forms a key part in our ambition to remove over 40,000 truck deliveries from central London roads each year. We also want to encourage and support other organisations to adopt the use of zero emission delivery models to improve air quality for the communities that we serve.”

Chris Walton, Managing Director UK and Ireland at CEVA Logistics, said: “The riverboat trial firmly supports our commitment to sustainable and ethical supply chains. As part of what we call responsive logistics, we constantly look for smart, alternative solutions to improve our carbon footprint and reduce noise and air pollution, specifically when operating in urban areas. As part of our global FORPATIENTS strategy for healthcare customers, we offer flexible end-to-end logistics solutions that place the patient at the centre of the supply chain.”

Edward Livett, Director of Livett’s Group, said: “We are very excited and proud to be a part of this trial as it is a clear example of positive use of the River Thames, something we are constantly striving for. Livett’s specialise in river logistics and as a Group have assets from Putney down to Gravesend which we are confident will help make this trial an absolute success. We look forward to helping freight back onto the river and proving it to be an environmentally sustainable and safe solution.”

Stuart Godman, CEO at Absolutely, said: “We are proud to have been chosen as the final mile delivery partner. As a business, we want to build on our ambition to be a true ambassador for carbon neutrality. Significant partnerships, like this, provide the opportunity to utilise our expanding fleet of electric cargo vehicles and allow us to continue to provide an excellent service in a more sustainable way across London.”

James Trimmer, planning & environment director at the Port of London Authority, said: “This innovative scheme is another great example of the river’s potential as a green superhighway. It’s a win-win situation; the tidal Thames can help rebuild the economy post the pandemic and both reduce carbon emissions and air pollution in the capital.”

A new water safety guide for residents living close to the tidal Thames has been issued to mark the Royal Life Saving Society’s Drowning Prevention Week (19-26 June).

Produced by the by the Tidal Thames Water Safety Forum (TTWSF), the Riverside Community Water Safety Guide provides comprehensive advice on enjoying the river safely for all those living or working in properties near the river, as well as recreational users of the 95-mile length of the Thames, from Teddington to the coast.

It includes tips on what to do in an emergency, along with practical steps to help everyone enjoy the river safely.

Chaired by the Port of London Authority (PLA), the TTWSF’s other members are: the City of London Police, the City of London Corporation, HM Coastguard, the London Ambulance Service, the London Fire Brigade, the Metropolitan Police, the RNLI, and Transport for London.

Lucy Owen, PLA deputy director of planning & environment, said: “This guide is essential reading for everyone who lives and works on or near the river, as well as visitors to the capital’s waterway this summer.

“It’s full of practical advice on ensuring that we prevent drownings and injuries on the river.

“Following the recent rapid expansion of river-side dwellings in London, we hope it will prove particularly useful for people living near the Thames in the capital for the first time.”

The TTWSF was established four years ago, to co-ordinate and promote safety on the river. Each year, an estimated 30 people lose their lives in the waters of the tidal Thames.

HRH the Duke of Cambridge launched the TTWSF’s Drowning Prevention Strategy in May 2019.

The Port of London Authority is joining London Climate Action Week (LCAW) with a webinar debate about the global factors set to influence the future of the tidal Thames.

The tidal Thames is home to the UK’s biggest port, busiest inland waterway, a haven for wildlife, and a centre for sport, recreation and culture. Its future at the heart of a low carbon economy, climate resilient, offering equity in opportunity and access are expected to be at the heart of its long-term future. This will be reflected in the updated river development framework, Thames Vision 2050, which the PLA is working on with stakeholders.

The Thames Vision covers the 95 miles of tidal river from Teddington Lock to the North Sea. The PLA released the original Vision, covering twenty years to 2035 in summer 2016, after 18 months of development. The update, out to 2050 is needed to reflect accelerating climate change response, changing trading relationships with the rest of the world and the pandemic driving unprecedented social and economic change across our cities.

Panellists on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 webinar – part of the initial public engagement for the Thames Vision update – include:

• Juliet Mien, Technical Director, Resilience Shift
• Emma Page, Head of Sustainability, University of Exeter
• Joe Borg, Lloyd’s Register
• Dr Tim Moonen, Managing Director, The Business of Cities

The panel’s initial interventions will touch on sustainability, resilience, global city development and evolving ship technology, to set up a debate centred on audience questions.

“With London Climate Action Week’s focus on harnessing the power of London for global climate action, this webinar is ideally timed,” explained PLA chief executive, Robin Mortimer. “We expect to touch on key themes for the climate action week, including a green, fair and resilient recovery, whole society climate action and a sustainable, net-zero development.

“The Port of London is inextricably linked to the city it serves. Our goal is to support development of a low emission port and river, with opportunity, access and equity at its heart. The webinar will be open to all and provide insights about the global factors set to influence the future of the river and shaping the new Vision for the Thames.”

Scarlett Barnett-Smith, from Gillingham, who started her career as marine apprentice with the Port of London Authority (PLA) has won the 2021 John Percival Award for Best Industry Trainee from the National Workboat Association.

Nominated, by training provider SeaRegs, Scarlett was presented with the award in virtual event on (9 June).

Kerrie Forster, chief executive of the Workboat Association, said: “Scarlett’s eagerness to achieve and to encourage others, made her stand out against other nominees for the award, all of whom we are very proud to have working and training within our industry. She proved herself a superb student.

“We particularly want to recognise Scarlett’s efforts to encourage apprenticeships in the maritime sector, and also her work to promote women in maritime.”

PLA training and liaison officer, Rachel De Bont, who mentored Scarlett throughout her apprenticeship, commented: “We’re all so proud of what Scarlett has achieved during her maritime career so far.

“A big thank you from us goes to SeaRegs for nominating her for this prestigious award.”

Scarlett (20) has recently returned from three weeks at sea aboard the Galatea, as part of a cadetship with Warsash Maritime School, part of Solent University, sponsored by the PLA and Trinity House.

Scarlett said: “I’m so honoured to be receiving this award. I want to thank everyone at SeaRegs, and the PLA, especially Rachel, who have been such an enormous support to me, helping me live my dream.”

Photo: Emma Cowper, sustainability manager, DP World London Gateway and Andy Osborne, marine engineering manager, PLA

On World Oceans Day (8 June), DP World and the Port of London Authority reveal plans for bespoke “rubbish muncher” for London Gateway.

On World Oceans Day, a £150,000 plan for a bespoke, floating litter collector for the lower Thames in Essex has been announced by DP World London Gateway and the Port of London Authority (PLA).

Annually the PLA’s existing network of eight “passive driftwood collectors” (PDCs) on the river in central London stops up to 400 tonnes of waterborne litter from floating out to the North Sea, but too much debris still collects downstream of Greenwich.

Two years’ of monitoring and analysis will guide the design of a new, bespoke PDC to suit conditions lower down the estuary, close to DP World’s new London Gateway smart hub

The specific local challenges the new PDC will need to tackle include bigger waves and the need not to disturb wildlife-rich mudflats.

The project aims to prevent discarded rubbish – ranging from plastic bottles to traffic cones – from endangering wildlife.

If digested by fish, there is a risk of pollutants entering the human food chain.

The creation of the new PDC, tailored to the requirements of the lower river, is one of the first outputs of a strategy created by the Thames Litter Forum, established by the PLA, which brings together a range of partners from along the tidal river’s 95-mile course, from Teddington to the coast, to reduce the tide of litter washed into the river.

Tanya Ferry, head of environment at the PLA, said:

“This trial will help establish how our current PDCs could be adapted to be effective in the lower Thames.

“Innovative solutions are needed to tackle the different conditions in this part of the river.

“First and foremost, we urge everyone do all they can to stop litter entering the river in the first place. The Thames and its tributaries, are precious havens for wildlife and must be protected from needless litter pollution.”

The creation of a new PDC, tailored to the requirements of the lower river, is part of Thames Vison strategy, established by the PLA, aiming to restore the health of the river to levels not seen since before the Industrial Revolution.

Emma Cowper, sustainability manager, DP World London Gateway, said:

“At DP World, we seek to strike the necessary balance between unlocking the potential of the blue economy, while also protecting its marine environment. Our efforts will be focused on: investing in restoration; coastal clean-ups; and educational programmes. The passive debris collector supports both the second and third focus areas.

“Every single piece of plastic rescued from the river is a small step in protecting the health of the marine environment around the world.

“That’s why we are so pleased to be co-funding this important new initiative, tackling the problem on our own doorstep at London Gateway.

“DP World is committed globally to making ocean enhancement a part of its legacy and to combat climate change.”