Former mariner takes helm of Chamber’s Shipping and Transport Committee

Graham Cross (left) congratulates Albert Weatherill on becoming Chairman of the Chamber’s Shipping and Transport Committee.

THE son of a trawler skipper has taken the helm of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce’s Shipping and Transport Committee.

Albert Weatherill set sail on his latest adventure when he was presented with the Shipping and Transport Committee’s Chain of Office by outgoing Chairman Graham Cross. Mr Weatherill said he hoped he would be able to bring some expertise to the role as the son of a trawler skipper and someone who came from a marine family. Having served in the Merchant Navy he was now the managing director of McAusland Turner.

Formed in 1847 following the merger of the Hull Shipowners’ Society with the Chamber, the Committee has a long, distinguished history of representing the interests of the shipping, transport and logistics sectors in the Humber region.

Mr Cross, who had been Chairman for six years, has navigated the Committee through some choppy waters. He reflected on some of the key developments during his Chairmanship, including the recent name change which was introduced to better reflect the Committee’s remit which has grown to include air travel and road infrastructure. Other issues have included offshore links with the emerging renewable energy industry, North Sea oil and gas, and the refining industries, as well as the introduction of Emissions Zones and the weighing of container freight.

Mr Cross said he was pleased that Humberside Airport and Peter Shipp of EYMS were now on board, demonstrating the wider “transport” element of the Committee which spans the Energy Estuary and has strong links with Central Government. He said he hoped he was leaving the Committee in a sound state. Thanking Mr Cross for his work during his term of office, Mr Weatherill presented him with a bottle of champagne.

Mr Weatherill said: “I am honoured to be taking over from Graham and continuing the good work of this historic Committee. Our industry faces lots of challenges which are sure to prompt some lively discussions in the coming months and years”.