New minister for ports is announced

Following her appointment as a new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Kelly Tolhurst MP will be the minister responsible for ports. This means she will fulfil the maritime, aviation, freeports, security and civil contingencies and shadow the roads brief.

Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, Richard Ballantyne, said of the appointment: “The BPA congratulates and welcomes Kelly Tolhurst to the best brief in Government. Having previous experience in the industry, we hope that the new Ports Minister will settle in quickly and take up the mantle from her predecessor as an enthusiastic champion of the UK ports sector and the wider maritime industry.”

He added that now is a “pivotal time” to take on the brief of Maritime Minister, with the current consultation on Freeports. 

Post-Brexit trade-facilitation is also high on the agenda, as well as sustainability and port connectivity.

He said: “We look forward to meeting Ms Tolhurst at the earliest opportunity and building a constructive relationship based around a shared vision of a thriving maritime industry generating prosperity in coastal communities and across the UK.”

For more information visit www.britishports.org.uk 

24th February 2020