The British Ports Association (BPA) has announced that more than 400 delegates are expected to attend its 2026 Annual Conference, which will be held at the Port of Dover on 21‑22 October 2026.
Event details and timetable
The conference will take place in the historic Cruise Terminal One building at the Port of Dover. The BPA released the first tranche of speakers on 28 August 2026, confirming the venue, dates and the attendance estimate. The two‑day programme runs from the morning of 21 October to the close of 22 October, after which the event will conclude.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Venue | Port of Dover – Cruise Terminal One |
| Dates | 21‑22 October 2026 |
| Expected delegates | 400+ people (2026 conference) |
| Themes | Climate action, national security resilience, apprenticeship and workforce development |
| Source: British Ports Association – First speakers unveiled for the 2026 BPA Annual Conference (28 August 2026) | |
Speaker line‑up and thematic focus
The BPA says the conference will feature a “diverse line‑up of senior leaders from ports, government departments and supply‑chain businesses”. Key speakers confirmed include:
- Ricardo Batista, head of the Climate Action and Clean Air Team at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
- Chris Chant, deputy director for resilience and home defence at the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
- Patrick Verhoeven, managing director of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH)
- Virginia McVea, chief executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
- Senior executives from Stena Line, PD Ports, Associated British Ports (ABP), the Port of London Authority (PLA) and Bristol Port Company
These speakers reflect the conference’s three core themes: climate‑related initiatives for the maritime sector, national‑security resilience in the face of emerging threats, and apprenticeship or workforce‑development programmes aimed at addressing skills gaps.
Why the attendance figure matters
More than 400 delegates represent a sizeable gathering for a sector‑specific event in the UK. While the BPA does not compare this figure with previous conferences, the estimate signals strong interest from both public‑sector bodies and private‑sector operators in the issues highlighted. For port operators, the conference offers a platform to discuss regulatory changes, investment needs and collaborative approaches to climate‑related compliance.
Government representatives, such as the MoD and MCA, will use the forum to outline policy priorities on security and maritime safety. Their presence indicates that the conference is a conduit for aligning industry action with national objectives.
Background on the British Ports Association
The BPA was founded in 1992 and operates as a UK‑based industry body representing ports across the country. The association’s own website provides the organisational overview, but the research packet notes that details such as the current chief executive and employee count have not been independently verified and should be confirmed against the latest filing before publication.
What remains unknown
The BPA press release does not disclose the exact breakdown of delegates by sector, nor does it give a final speaker list beyond the senior names mentioned. The association has not confirmed the identity of its chief executive or the total staff employed by the body. These gaps mean that while the attendance estimate is solid, the full composition of the audience and the leadership steering the event remain unclear.
Looking ahead
With the conference scheduled for October, the next steps for interested parties include registering for attendance, reviewing the detailed agenda once released, and preparing position papers on the three thematic pillars. Stakeholders will be watching for any post‑conference statements that could shape policy or investment decisions in the UK ports sector.