The Port of London Authority (PLA) welcomed the Maritime Minister to its headquarters in Gravesend to formally unveil its two newest pilot boats, marking the latest milestone in ongoing investment to support growing trade through the UK’s largest port.
The state-of-the-art pilot boats – named ‘Commander’ and ‘Leader’ – are designed to ensure river and sea pilots can quickly and safely meet incoming vessels from around the world and guide them to berth.
A traditional naming ceremony was held to officially welcome the vessels into service.Gravesham MP, Dr Lauren Sullivan, was invited to become Godmother of Leader and a long-serving member of the PLA team, Marine Office Manager, Barbara Jewiss, was recognised for her two-decades of tireless support to the PLA operation, as she became Godmother of the Commander.
The pilot boats were built in the UK by Goodchild Marine Services Ltd and designed by the French naval architecture firm Pantocarene. Built entirely in the UK, both Commander and Leader are configured to operate on 100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) biofuel, delivering a significant reduction in carbon emissions while maintaining the high performance required for 24/7 pilotage operations.
Keir Mather, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, oversaw the ceremony, before being given the opportunity to take a ride on Commander, seeing it’s functionality and how it will serve customers in the port. He also had a tour of the operational facilities that help operate the UK’s biggest port.
Robin Mortimer, Port of London Authority ’s Chief Executive, said: “The naming of our two latest vessels is a great moment to reflect on our ongoing commitment to the region and how we are investing to support growth. The pilot boats are state-of-the-art, green, and were built in the UK. We were delighted to be able to share the moment with the new minister, Gravesham’s MP, and also to recognise the dedication and skill of our workforce, with one of our own, Barbara Jewiss, becoming Godmother to one of the boats, too.
“This investment will help us to provide even better service to our customers, and to quickly and safely help ships which arrive from all over the world to berth, boosting trade and doing so in a way that promotes sustainability.”
Maritime Minister, Keir Mather, said: “The UK’s maritime sector powers over £100bn in trade, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and drives growth nationwide. It was great to join the Port of London Authority who are investing in places like Gravesend to drive growth and real change. We’re backing British maritime including with £448m in green investment – boosting jobs and innovation to deliver our Plan for Change.”
Dr Lauren Sullivan, MP for Gravesham, said: “I am incredibly proud to have the Port of London Authority headquartered in my constituency of Gravesham, and it was a privilege and honour to be asked to be the Godmother to the vessel Leader at the naming and launch ceremony. The Port of London Authority supports, directly and indirectly, through its oversight of one of the most famous rivers in the world, so many local maritime and shore jobs, businesses and industries as well as those using the river for sport and leisure. This investment in new vessels, will inevitably benefit river users in Gravesham and further afield, which is essential for our river and coastal communities in the Thames Estuary.”
