The British Ports Association (BPA) confirmed on 28 August 2026 that its 2026 Annual Conference will be held at the Port of Dover on 21‑22 October and will bring together senior officials from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) alongside senior executives from the UK’s biggest ports and ferry operators.British Ports Association press release
Speaker line‑up
The first tranche of speakers includes:
| Speaker | Role | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Ricardo Batista | Head of the Climate Action and Clean Air Team | International Maritime Organisation (IMO) |
| Patrick Verhoeven | Managing Director | International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) |
| Virginia McVea | Chief Executive | Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) |
| Sarah West | Managing Director for ports in the UK and Ireland | Stena Line |
| Paul Foreman | Chief Executive | PD Ports |
| Tim Morris | Head of Corporate Communications | Associated British Ports |
| Grace Rawnsley | Director of Sustainability | Port of London Authority |
All names and roles are taken directly from the BPA announcement.British Ports Association press release
Why the mix matters for UK ports
By pairing global regulators such as the IMO – which is steering the industry toward lower emissions – with UK‑based operators, the conference creates a forum for aligning international policy with domestic implementation. The presence of the MCA chief executive, Virginia McVea, signals a direct link between government maritime safety and the commercial priorities of ferry operators like Stena Line.
Stena Line, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, operates a fleet that links the UK to mainland Europe. Its managing director for UK and Ireland ports, Sarah West, will be able to discuss how IMO climate targets affect ferry schedules and fuel choices. PD Ports, based in Middlesbrough, and Associated British Ports, based in London, represent the broader UK terminal landscape; their senior leaders can translate international standards into port‑level actions.
Attendance and venue
The BPA expects more than 400 delegates to attend the two‑day event. The figure of 400 people is listed under “Expected delegates” for the 2026 conference in the press release.British Ports Association press release The historic Cruise Terminal One building at the Port of Dover will host the sessions, providing a symbolic backdrop for discussions about the future of cross‑Channel trade.
Timeline
- 28 August 2026 – BPA releases first tranche of speakers.
- 21‑22 October 2026 – BPA 2026 Annual Conference takes place at the Port of Dover.
These dates are taken from the BPA timeline in the research packet.British Ports Association press release
What remains unknown
The BPA has not disclosed the full programme, the number of breakout sessions, or the identities of any additional speakers beyond the first tranche. It also has not confirmed whether any UK government ministers will attend, nor has it provided a breakdown of delegate organisations beyond the headline figure of 400.
Stakeholders will be watching for the final agenda, which is likely to shape policy discussions ahead of the UK’s post‑Brexit maritime strategy.
Implications for the sector
For UK port operators, the conference offers a chance to hear directly from the IMO about upcoming emissions regulations, potentially influencing capital investment decisions in scrubbers, alternative fuels and digital reporting tools. The MCA’s involvement underscores the regulatory environment that governs safety and security standards, areas that can affect port licensing and ferry service approvals.
Finally, the presence of senior executives from Stena Line, PD Ports, Associated British Ports and the Port of London Authority means that the dialogue will be grounded in the operational realities of the UK’s busiest terminals. The mix of speakers therefore bridges policy and practice at a moment when the sector is navigating both climate imperatives and post‑Brexit trade adjustments.