News: London International Shipping Week to be held in-person this September

Following the announcement in February of the UK Prime Minister’s roadmap out of the COVID-19 restrictions, Shipping Innovation, organisers of London International Shipping Week 2021, would like to confirm that LISW21 will go ahead this year as a mixture of in-person and virtual events.

LISW21, the week-long maritime showcase supported by the domestic and international shipping, ports and maritime industries as well as the UK Government, will take place from 13-17 September this year, giving certainty to delegates aiming to attend, as well as to sponsors and supporting organisations who are now scheduling their own events.

The week-long event will be agile, seamlessly blending in-person events with a range of online activities via a dedicated portal. This gives it the flexibility to take account of any remaining COVID-19 restrictions which may affect the way we gather in September. Anyone running an official event during LISW21 is being urged to plan for all contingencies, with support from the LISW21 team.

LISW21’s Board of Advisors and Steering Group, made up of leading figures from throughout the international shipping community, are working closely with Shipping Innovation to ensure that LISW21 runs smoothly. Based upon current reported COVID developments and the Prime Minister’s roadmap, it is hoped that as many events as possible will be held in-person during LISW21, but for those delegates who are unable to be in London, for whatever reason, LISW21 will also contain a high-quality virtual element.

Recognising that there remains a risk that COVID restrictions may still be in place or may be reimposed, detailed planning based on a number of different scenarios will enable organisers to change their events from in-person to virtual at relatively short notice.

John Hulmes, Chair of the LISW21 Steering Committee said: “After a year of international lockdown, the shipping industry is keen to once again conduct business face-to-face.”

He continued: “I am delighted that London International Shipping Week 2021 will go ahead in September and we are working on several strategies and scenarios to enable the event to deliver the valuable interactions which our delegates, sponsors and supporters expect, whatever restrictions may be in place at the time. And we will be reaching out to all stakeholders to talk them through the scenarios and to help them prepare for what will be an outstanding week of events.

“Our bespoke event portal and online presence will ensure that LISW21 will attract an even larger attendance than before as we attract both in-person and online delegates. In whichever format you join us, we will certainly make sure LISW21 delivers all you expect – even if it is without the hugs and handshakes!”

Lord Mountevans, Chair of the LISW Board of Advisors, added: “LISW21 will allow the maritime community to get back together again for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Our Headline conference will consider, at a high level, some of the key challenges facing the industry. These themes will be further amplified in the hundreds of events due to be organised during LISW21 by supporting organisations and sponsors.”

Sponsors and supporting organisations are already signing up to LISW21, which may be the first large international shipping event to take place in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic started to impact the globe last Spring. The event calendar is beginning to fill up and companies scheduling official activities during London International Shipping Week are urged to contact the LISW21 team as soon as possible to confirm their slot, especially since the added presence of a large online audience means international time zones will need to be considered.

Further information about LISW21 can be found on the dedicated event website: www.londoninternationalshippingweek.com or you can follow us on Twitter @LISWOfficial or #LISW21