Championing maritime excellence: MCA leads UK Flag Forum 2025

Autonomous vessels and alternative fuels are among the key maritime topics being discussed by ship owners, operators and regulators at this year’s UK Flag Forum held yesterday.

Hosted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) at London’s Queen Elizabeth II Centre, the event brought key figures from across the global shipping industry together to discuss the UK flag and strengthen its position as a world-leading flag state. It provided a platform for shipowners, operators, regulators and policymakers to share insight and discuss issues and opportunities, including seafarer training, decarbonisation and navigational safety. The event was formally opened by Virginia McVea (pictured), CEO of the MCA.

Lord Simon Stevens, Chair of the MCA, provided a welcome address before a panel discussion on the Department for Transport’s Maritime Decarbonisations Strategy.

Panellists include Deputy Director of UKSHORE Eamonn Beirne, Senior Sustainability Advisor at British Ports Association Rhona MacDonald and Philip Fullerton, Managing Director at Northern Marine Group Ltd.

MCA Chief Examiner and Head of Seafarer Technical Delivery Ajit Jacob led the day’s first seminar session on Seafarer Training, with MCA’s Maritime Autonomy Team Leader Katrina Kemp presenting on Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). MCA’s Acting Director of Technical Operations Prasad Panicker then spoke on Approvals for Alternative Fuels,

In the afternoon MCA Director of Maritime Futures Keith Johnstone focused on Decarbonisation, with Deputy Director of Regulations and Standards Gwilym Stone leading a Near Coastal Workshop, while MCA Assistant Director for UK Technical Services Navigation Richard Bell discussed Navigational Safety.

Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “I am thrilled to join the MCA at this year’s UK Flag Forum, which is so crucial in bringing key players in the sector together to discuss the issues facing the maritime industry.

“We are committed to the UK becoming a clean energy superpower, which is why earlier this year we set out a course to net zero shipping by 2050. Only by working together can we tackle the impact of shipping on our climate, create a greener sector, and deliver on our shared ambitions.”

MCA Director of UK Customer Maritime Services Lars Lippuner said: “The UK Flag Forum remains a vital platform for shaping the future of the UK maritime sector. By bringing together key stakeholders, we foster collaboration and drive meaningful progress during what is an exciting and pivotal time for our industry.

“Now more than ever, working together is essential, and we look forward to engaging with our customers; listening, discussing, and learning from them today."

He added: “As both hosts and speakers, the MCA is proud to provide a platform for open discussion at the UK Flag Forum, with a strong emphasis on upholding the excellence of our world-class flag and the important work it represents.”

The event closed with a keynote speech by the Minister.