The UK Shipping Concierge (UKSC) drives sustainable growth in the UK maritime economy and has worked closely with industry and government over the past year to advance this goal and adapt among a constantly evolving maritime environment.
From the UK Flag Forum, where the team was able to engage with shipowners, operators, maritime professional business services and other stakeholders, to London International Shipping Week, where colleagues within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) interacted with major industry leaders to hear the latest issues affecting maritime, the UKSC team was present at several high profile events across the maritime calendar.
The team’s specific maritime events and attendance at other major maritime UK events across the year provided invaluable insight and engagement.
The MCA Director of UK Maritime Customer Services Lars Lippuner also welcomed industry experts to a roundtable on how we can strengthen the UK Flag along with the overall UK maritime offer, and the UKSC team also contributed to the MCA’s SMaRT funding review. Throughout the year, the UKSC have held strategic discussions with industry on Tonnage Tax, seafarer social contributions, the Seafarer Charter and visas.
Engagement overseas consisted of several events, most notably Singapore Maritime Week, where the team held ten meetings with ship owners and operators, Crew Connect in Manila, where the MCA was represented at the world’s largest seafarer event, and Nor Shipping in Norway, where the team explored partnerships and global standards.
Recently during Hong Kong Maritime Week, Lars Lippuner provided an update on the Maritime Innovation Hub directly to maritime industry stakeholders. Officially launching in 2026, the Hub enables innovation, accelerates regulation, and positions the UK as a maritime technological leader.
Graham Candy, Acting Head of UKSC, visited Dubai to engage with maritime leaders across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Capital Link Forum, which coincided with Bahri Week, and visited Taiwan for strategic flag client meetings.
Midway through the year, the team welcomed Finlay McNab to the team as Operations Coordinator. Shortly after, Flag Key Account Managers Suzanne Landolfi and Faith Thomas joined the Concierge.
This month, interviews were held for a Senior Market Data Analyst and Assistant Director for Economic Development and Stakeholder Relations (UK Shipping Concierge), which will look to appoint in 2026.
Graham said: “All in all, it’s been another extremely productive year for the UKSC team, with a truly global outlook focusing our relations with operators, shipping, and policy makers across the industry.
“We’re proud to continue in our commitment to drive sustainable growth in the UK maritime economy by promoting the UK Maritime Offer, while building on strengthening these relationships and our engagement activity.
“Reforms introduced in April 2023, have seen a 22% increase in vessels on UK Tonnage Tax. I am particularly pleased to welcome several new companies to the UK maritime family, and we'll work hard to make sure these new investments have support from the MCA and wider industry.”
He added: “Next year brings with it a raft of challenges and opportunities – both new and familiar – and we look forward to working with our partners in delivering on these.
“All that’s left is for us to offer our warm wishes over the festive period, where we sincerely wish everyone a prosperous, successful and fruitful new year.”
