Coastal Powerhouse: Short Straits Conference
Maritime UK are delighted to be bringing the Coastal Powerhouse Summit to Dover, highlighting the strength and diversity of the region’s maritime industry.
As part of a nationwide series, the Coastal Powerhouse Summits will take Maritime UK across all four nations, driving conversations around careers, skills, diversity, policy, and innovation. These events will play a crucial role in supporting coastal communities and promoting growth across the wider maritime sector.
This full-day event will feature engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking keynote speakers, focusing on the key opportunities and challenges facing the Short Straits and beyond. Together, we’ll explore how to unlock potential, drive economic growth, and deliver meaningful change.
Key themes include:
- Cross-Channel and Short Straits Collaboration
- Digital
- Port Master Planning
- Growth and Investment.
| Timetable | Speakers | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30-11:00 | Arrivals Tea and Coffee | |
| 11:00-11:05 | Welcome and Intro | Chris Shirling-Rooke, Chief Executive Officer, Maritime UK |
| 11:05-11:15 | Opening Remarks | Doug Bannister, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Dover |
| 11:15-12:00 | Panel Session 1 (Cross Channel/Short Straits Colloaboration) |
Doug Bannister, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Dover Jesper Christensen, Operations Director, DFDS Anthony Pétillion, Head of Strategy and Development, Port Boulogne Calais |
| 12:00-12:15 | Keynote 1 | Lee Clarke, General Manager, Isle of Man Maritime |
| 12:15-12:30 | Comfort Break | |
| 12:30-12:45 | Keynote 2 | |
| 12:45-13:30 | Panel Session 2 (Digital) | Chris Hughes, Procurement & PMO Director, Port of Dover |
| 13:30-14:15 | Networking Lunch | |
| 14:15-14:25 | Keynote 3 | Gauvain Haulot, Vice President, Route Director Channel, DFDS |
| 14:25-15:10 | Panel Sesson 3 (Skills) |
Gemma Griffin, Vice President & Head of Global Crewing, DFDS Prof Mike Riley, Director of CEBE, Liverpool John Moores University Dave Collinson, Careers & Outreach Manager, Maritime UK |
| 15:10-15:55 | Panel Session 4 (Growth and Investment) |
Chris Shirling-Rooke, Chief Executive, Maritime UK Tony Yates, Infrastructure/Engineering Director, Port of Dover |
| 15:55-16:00 | Closing Remarks | Tom Boardley, Chair, Maritime UK |
We will have shuttle bus service from Dover Priory Train Station and the Cruise Terminal on the 25th for the Conference and then Shuttle Bus service back to the Train Sation and also to Dover Museum after the conference.