News: Maritime UK welcomes new Ship Register Director

Maritime UK Chair, David Dingle CBE, welcomed the announcement of Doug Barrow's appointment as Director of the UK Ship Register at the Maritime Parliamentary Reception on Monday (16 January).

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency has appointed a new Director of the UK Ship Register (UKSR). The appointment is part of a wider commitment to generate growth in the maritime sector, encourage greater investment in the UK and promote the UK flag as a world-class register that attracts quality ship owners.

Seven years under the Red Ensign as UK Ship Register Director, Doug Barrow will play a leading role in championing the UK flag and building on recent growth in the register. Doug explains: “Having started my career sailing for seven years under the Red Ensign, it will be a great honour to take on this role. I’m incredibly enthusiastic about working with a first-class team to ensure the UKSR is the register of choice for quality owners.

"I will bring a commercial input into the register gained from 30 years in the bunker industry – and, having spent the last 11 years promoting the UK as the world’s premier maritime business centre, I will be bringing those skills to bear on my work with the register.”

Welcoming the appointment on behalf of Martiime UK, David Dingle said:

"I am truly delighted that one of our industry’s greatest champions, Doug Barrow, will be leading from the front as we take the fight to our global competitors and ensure that the world knows not just that the UK is open for business but that our maritime industry, as the engine and enabler of trade, stands ready to seize new opportunities around the world."

Shipping and Ports Minister, Rt Hon John Hayes MP said:

“I’m delighted with this appointment and with all the commercial experience that Doug will bring to the UK Ship Register. We already have a great deal to be proud of in our UK maritime sector, which provides a strong and resilient backbone to the economy. The Government is committed to transforming the Ship Register to make it globally competitive for the 21st century and Doug’s appointment will undoubtedly drive the register forwards.”

Sir Alan Massey, MCA Chief Executive said:

“This marks a really exciting time for us as an Agency. The MCA’s aim is to make the UK Ship Register both more commercially attractive and more responsive to ship owners. This will create the right conditions to grow the UK-flagged merchant fleet and help boost the UK’s wider maritime economy. The UKSR team under acting director Richard Pellew has worked tirelessly towards shaping a more competitive offer to ship-owners. We’re now looking forward to welcoming Doug Barrow, whose wealth of experience and knowledge will continue to drive that work forward.”