During September, there were four new detentions of foreign flagged vessels in a UK port.

1. In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson’s inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping, and in compliance with the EU Directive on Port State Control (2009/16/EC as amended), the Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports each month.

2. The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as THETIS. This allows the ships with a high risk rating and poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.

3. Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. When a ship is found to be not in compliance with applicable convention requirements, a deficiency may be raised. If any of their deficiencies are so serious they have to be rectified before departure, then the ship will be detained.

4. All deficiencies should be rectified before departure.

5. When applicable, the list includes those passenger craft prevented from operating under the provisions of the EU Directive on Mandatory Surveys for the safe operation of regular ro-ro ferry and high speed passenger craft services (1999/35/EU).

Notes on the list of detentions

• Full details of the ship. The accompanying detention list shows ship’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) number which is unchanging throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies it. It also shows the ship’s name and flag state at the time of its inspection.
• Company. The company shown in the vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (SMC) or if there is no SMC, then the party otherwise believed to be responsible for the safety of the ship at the time of inspection.
• Classification society. The list shows the classification society responsible for classing the ship only.
• Recognised organisation. Responsible for conducting the statutory surveys: and issuing statutory certificates on behalf of the flag state
• white (WL), grey (GL) and black lists (BL) are issued by the Paris MoU on 01 July each year and shows the performance of flag State. *Deficiencies The deficiencies listed are the ones which were detainable. Further details of other deficiencies can be provided on request.

SHIPS DETAINED IN SEPTEMBER 2019

Vessel Name: ARKLOW MANOR

GT: 9758

IMO: 9440241

Flag: Ireland (white list)

Company: Arklow Shipping ULC

Classification society: BV

Recognised organisation: BV

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: BV

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: BV

Date and place of detention: 6th September 2019 at Blyth

Summary: Seventeen deficiencies with one ground for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released on 10th September 2019

Vessel Name: FINJA

GT: 1102

IMO: 9212345

Flag: Germany (white list)

Company: Glusing Transport GmbH

Classification society: BV

Recognised organisation: BV

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: N/A

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: N/A Date and place of detention: 15th September 2019 at Immingham

Summary: Nine deficiencies with one ground for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released on 18th September 2019

Vessel Name: BG Rotterdam

GT: 8273

IMO: 9440241

Flag: Portugal (white list)

Company: Nordic Hamburg Shipmgmnt GmbH

Classification society: RINA

Recognised organisation: RINA

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: RINA

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: RINA

Date and place of detention: 18th September 2019 at Southampton

Summary: Nine deficiencies with three grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
01140 – Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (Part I and II)	Invalid	Yes
18315 – Provisions quality and nutritional Value	Expired	Yes

This vessel was released on 24th September 2019

Vessel Name: BOSPHORUS PRINCE

GT: 26010

IMO: 9198381

Flag: Panama (white list)

Company: Bosphorus Prince Shipping Ltd

Classification society: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Recognised organisation: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Date and place of detention: 28th September 2019 at Teesport

Summary: Four deficiencies with one ground for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was still detained 30th September 2019

DETENTIONS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS MONTHS

Vessel Name: KUZMA MININ

GT: 16257

IMO: 7721263

Flag: Russian Federation (Grey list)

Company: Murmansk Shipping Co

Classification society: RMRS

Recognised organisation: RMRS

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: RMRS

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: RMRS

Date and place of detention: 18th December 2018 at Falmouth

Summary: Thirteen deficiencies with six grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
01220 – Seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA)	Expired	Yes
18314 – Provisions quantity	Insufficient	Yes
01139 – Maritime Labour Certificate	Expired	Yes
01101 – Cargo Ship Safety Equipment (including exemption)	Survey out of window	Yes
10104 – Gyro compass	Inoperative	Yes
01104 – Cargo Ship Safety Radio 9 (including exemption)	Survey out of window	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 30th September 2019

Vessel Name: POSEIDON

GT: 1412

IMO: 7363217

Flag: Iceland (White list)

Company: Neptune EHF

Classification society: NA

Recognised organisation: NA

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: DNV-GL

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: DNV-GL

Date and place of detention: 19th July 2018 at Hull

Summary: Ten deficiencies with two grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
02106 – Hull damage impairing seaworthiness	Holed	Yes
07113 – Fire Pumps	Insufficient Pressure	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 30th September 2019

Vessel Name: TECOIL POLARIS

GT: 1814

IMO No: 8883290

Flag: Russian Federation (Grey list)

Company: Tecoil Shipping Ltd

Classification society: RMRS

Recognised organisation: RMRS

Recognised organisation for ISM DOC: RMRS

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: RMRS

Date and place of detention: 6th June 2018 at Immingham

Summary: Twenty-Seven deficiencies with eight grounds for detentions

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
10105 – Magnetic compass	Inoperative	Yes
10104 – Gyro compass	Inoperative	Yes
11129 – Operational readiness of lifesaving appliances	Not as required	Yes
10127 – Voyage or passage plan	Not as required	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
11104 – Rescue boats	Not properly maintained	Yes
11101 – Lifeboats	Not ready for use	Yes
01117 – International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP)	Invalid	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 30th September 2019

Vessel Name: CIEN PORCIENTO (General Cargo)

GT: 106.

IMO No: 8944446.

Flag: Unregistered.

Company: Open Window Inc.

Classification society: Unclassed.

Recognised organisation: Not applicable.

Recognised organisation for ISM DOC: Not applicable.

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: Not applicable

Date and place of detention: 4 March 2010, Lowestoft

Summary: Thirty deficiencies including seven grounds for detention

This vessel was still detained on 30th September 2019

Notes to Editors • The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector.

• Follow us on Twitter: @MCA_media

For further information please contact Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on: +44 (0) 2380 329 401 Press releases and further information about the agency is available here.

The UK aligns itself with the statement made by the EU on behalf of its Member States.

First, we would like to recognise the tireless work of UNHCR staff as they meet need and offer protection in challenging, dangerous situations around the world. In this, the UK remains a staunch friend of UNHCR, with the impact of our funding amplified through our political support, with developmental support that helps to deliver longer term solutions for refugees, and as an important resettlement partner.

As those here today will be only too aware, another year has seen yet another rise in forcible displacement – for the first time now exceeding 70 million people. So it is more important than ever to recognise and pay tribute to the huge generosity of host nations and communities in opening their borders and homes to those forced to flee conflict and persecution.

While fully recognising the challenges of hosting large numbers of refugees, at the same time we recall that involuntary or forced returns are a violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. We urge host countries to ensure that any repatriation is conducted in safety and dignity and that refugees can decide for themselves whether the situation is right or not for them to return. Donors must step up with funding to make long-term support feasible.

For our part, the UK is firmly committed to supporting refugees and their hosts. In the last few months alone, we have committed up to £30 million to vulnerable Venezuelans and £87 million of life-saving aid for the Rohingya crisis, and of course we continue to maintain significant levels of multiyear and un-earmarked funding to UNHCR.

Alongside this we recognise the growing challenge of Statelessness on which the UNHCR has a long running campaign. Statelessness is a political, development and a humanitarian challenge. It can rob people of their basic dignity and human rights. As a result of it, millions are unable to access education, healthcare, jobs, freedom of movement or financial services. Stateless can lead to or exacerbate conditions of poverty, posing a challenge to the humanitarian and development system. The UK supports UNHCR’s #IBelong campaign to end statelessness by 2024 and we work with international organisations and UNHCR to find long term durable solutions to statelessness.

The UK’s new global resettlement scheme, announced earlier this year, reinforces that position with a commitment to resettle in the region of 5,000 of the world’s most vulnerable refugees in its first year.

Looking forward, there are four priority areas I would like to highlight:

Firstly, the critical matter of reform. We strongly welcome UNHCR’s commitment to a consistent, organisation-wide approach to reform and remain very supportive of the decentralisation process, with strong country operations that work in partnership with others. UNHCR’s ability to collaborate with new actors, particularly development actors, is key and it will need the right people with the right skills to deliver that.

UNHCR must also continue to work as one organisation with coherent priorities, controls and transparent decision-making to avoid fragmentation. We hope for regular updates on the progress, challenges and risks involved.

Achieving reform of the UN development system as a whole remains of considerable priority to the UK and UNHCR has an important role to play here. We commend the High Commissioner’s and UNHCR’s efforts to date, including its leadership on the BIG initiative, but momentum must be maintained. We look forward to learning more about the steps that UNHCR is taking to support effective overall UN reform, including stronger UN co-ordination and collaboration on the ground.

Secondly, risk management and transparency remain of critical importance, so we are pleased to see UNHCR’s continued roll-out of risk management 2.0 and the increase in the number of risk management positions: ensuring decentralisation continues to strengthen risk management at country level. We particularly welcome the planned prioritisation of high-risk environments here.

It is also good to see better reporting of sexual misconduct, a reassuring signal that the systems that have been put in place are working. It is essential that UNHCR continues to take action on specific cases in the short term and works to reduce numbers in the longer term by tackling this toxic issue at root.

Thirdly, the UK remains deeply concerned at the scale and severity of internal displacement and we are clear on the importance of pushing forward efforts to address this challenge.

The response to internal displacement is political and developmental in nature as much as it is humanitarian, and to that end we welcome UNHCR’s new policy on engagement in situations of Internal Displacement and look forward to its coherent implementation alongside key partners and Governments.

We also welcome the new UN High level panel on Internally Displaced People (IDPs). This offers the best opportunity to accelerate progress. We hope that the panel will be led by countries most affected by internal displacement and composed of a good balance of those with significant expertise and insight; those with political influence; and those who can offer fresh perspectives. These panellists will have an important job to do in forming the best feasible recommendations to improve responses.

Finally, December will see the inaugural Global Refugee Forum here in Geneva, which the UK fully supports. The Forum will provide an important platform to maintain and build on the momentum generated by the Global Compact on Refugees.

We must remember that a key aim of the Compact is to ensure better and more equitable responsibility sharing. The Forum is a real opportunity to bring in non-traditional donors and resettlement countries and to broaden the support base. We urge all states to actively engage.

We must not lose sight of the fact that the Forum is not an end in itself, but a stepping stone in implementation of the Compact. As well as delivering on the day, it will be critical to identify priorities, opportunities and decision points for the year ahead and beyond to ensure a common understanding and direction of travel and delivery of tangible outcomes for host countries, host communities and refugees.

The UK looks forward to playing its part in this process.

The third and final release of the Statistical Data Return (SDR) 2018-2019 published today (10 October 2019) by the Regulator of Social Housing shows that 96% of social housing stock in the sector is owned by large providers (those with more than a 1,000 homes).

Private registered providers of social housing with 1,000 or more homes represented 18.5% of the total number of PRPs in 2019. The vast majority (81.5%) own fewer than 1,000 homes and make up 4% of the sector’s stock.

Other findings include:

• The majority of large providers (85.3%) are in group structures and between them, own 91.9% of the entire sector’s stock.

• The number of low cost rental and low cost home ownership properties held by for profit organisations has more than doubled to stand at 5,342 out of a total sector stock of nearly 2.8m.

• Demand for the sector’s stock remains strong with a void rate for general needs homes at 31st March 2019 of just 1.3%

Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive of RSH, said:

This final release, which includes all of this year’s SDR data, as well as briefing notes, accompanying information and an expanded range of look-up tools is intended to allow easier access and interrogation of the SDR data at PRP and geographic levels. We hope that the new format, additional tools and timely phased releases are more accessible and useful for our stakeholders and we welcome feedback on how we can make any further improvements.

This year’s first two SDR releases were published on 19 September and 26 September. The changes follow a call for user views between May and July 2019 about proposals to make the publication of the data more timely and more accessible. All three releases are now available on the RSH website.

Further information

For press office contact details, see our Media enquiries page. For general queries, please email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5225.

Notes to editors

1. The Regulator’s Statistical Data Returns are available on the RSH website.

2. A total of 1,409 providers completed this year’s Return – there was an overall response rate of 96% for the 2018-19 SDR, while 100% of large registered providers who own 1,000 or more units/ bedspaces (including Affordable Rent units) completed the return.

3. The response to the Call for user views on the SDR was published in August 2019.

4. Figures do not include non-social housing units built by unregistered entities within PRP groups, which are outside the scope of the SDR.

5. RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver homes that meet a range of needs. It does this by undertaking robust economic regulation focusing on governance, financial viability and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects the taxpayer. It also sets consumer standards and may take action if these standards are breached and there is a significant risk of serious detriment to tenants or potential tenants. For more information visit the RSH website.

A new law will ensure the nine million people in the UK living in blocks of flats aren’t left behind in the Government’s nationwide upgrade to gigabit speed broadband, Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan announces today.

The measures will make it easier to install faster internet connections in blocks of flats where landlords repeatedly ignore requests for access from broadband firms. It is estimated that an extra 3,000 residential buildings a year will be connected as a result.

Gigabit speed broadband is classed as a thousand megabits per second and is around 30 times the speed of superfast broadband. It will be the equivalent of downloading an HD film in less than 45 seconds.

This follows the government announcing £5 billion of new funding to bring gigabit-capable broadband to the hardest-to-reach parts of the UK earlier this month. It is the latest Government action to bust the barriers to faster broadband rollout and enable the private sector to get the job done.

The legislation is part of the Prime Minister’s plan to level up the country through new infrastructure, and deliver nationwide coverage of gigabit speed broadband as soon as possible.

Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan, who will today visit a block of flats in Coventry being connected to gigabit-capable broadband, said:

We’re pushing ahead with delivering the digital infrastructure that will underpin the UK’s future growth and boost our productivity.

We’ve just announced £5 billion so that people in rural communities will get gigabit speed internet at the same time as everyone else.

And we’re now making sure people living in blocks of flats and apartments are not left behind either, and can reap the huge benefits of the fastest and most resilient internet connections.

To install gigabit-capable broadband in the UK’s estimated 480,000 blocks of flats or apartments, broadband companies must get permission from the building’s owner to enter the property and undertake the necessary works. One of the biggest obstacles preventing operators deploying new networks to residential blocks is the landlord’s failure to respond in any way to requests for access.

Operators say that 40 per cent of their requests for access receive no response. While they already have an option available to push for access via the courts, there is considerable cost, time and uncertainty involved.

This means a significant amount of tenants are missing out on the chance to benefit from gigabit-capable broadband. The same problem does not exist for individual houses, where it is much easier to get permission to access the property.

To solve this, the Government is going to create a cheaper and faster process for telecoms companies to get access rights. It will apply when a landlord has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for access to install a connection that a tenant within the building has asked for. It will give operators a cheaper and more streamlined route via the existing Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) to connect the property, lowering the timescale to enter a property from six months to a matter of weeks, and at a drastically reduced cost.

Simon Clarke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:

Faster broadband boosts productivity and makes people’s lives easier at home and at work.

That is why we are connecting more residential buildings to the fastest internet, while also ensuring the most rural areas benefit from this technology through our £5.5bn high-speed broadband funding.

Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media, said:

This new law is something Virgin Media has long called for – it breaks through a major broadband barrier as we invest to bring gigabit speeds to our entire, ever-growing network. Giving broadband builders clear and efficient access rights will mean the many forgotten flats across the country can get the next-generation connectivity they deserve.

Greg Mesch, Chief Executive Officer of CityFibre, said:

We are pleased to see the Government supporting competitive builders of digital infrastructure as they build momentum to deliver the target of national full fibre coverage by 2025. As a company committed to rolling out more than 20% of the target, CityFibre welcomes all barrier busting initiatives that help to accelerate the rate of build.

David Smith, Policy Director for the Residential Landlords Association said:

We recognise how important it is that tenants should have access to high speed broadband. It is in a landlord’s interests to be able to offer it as it makes their properties more attractive to prospective tenants.

The RLA will work constructively with the Government to ensure that any difficulties in implementing enhanced access rights are addressed such as broadband companies ensuring they have the right contact details for a landlord.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• The Government has today published its response to the consultation: Ensuring tenants’ access to gigabit-capable connections. It has decided it will introduce new legislation to amend the Electronic Communications Code to provide operators with a faster, cheaper route to gain interim rights under the existing Electronic Communications Code via the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and its equivalent in devolved administrations. This route will apply only in circumstances where a tenant has requested a service, the landlord’s permission is required for that service to be delivered, and the landlord fails to respond to repeated requests from an operator for access.
• Part 4 of the existing Code allows operators to apply to a tribunal for provisional rights to enter a property and install infrastructure. But operators have not done so – citing the cost, time and uncertainty of eventual result. The Government will instead legislate so that: (i) where a landlord fails to respond to repeated requests for rights to install infrastructure, including access; (ii) a tenant within the building has requested a service; and (iii) an operator has complied with other statutory duties (for example they have made a specified number of requests which haven’t been responded to). This will allow an operator to apply for an order which will give them interim code rights to deploy in the building.
• Currently an operator may use the pre-existing process under the Electronic Communications Code to make an application to the tribunal after 28 days. That application is then put to the court and they have to wait an estimated 2-3 months for a decision. The Government is proposing under the new system that operators will only have to wait 42 days before making an application (to ensure they have sent a sufficient number of notices and made serious attempts to gain access) but then will then be able to use the faster process to gain the right to access which will speed up the time it takes to access a building from an estimated six months to what we envisage will be between 6-7 weeks and lower the cost to the operator (from an estimated £14,000 to around £300). The Government will set out a clear process operators will need to follow to demonstrate their repeated attempts at engagement with a landlord; before being able to apply for those rights. We also intend to legislate so that – once such rights are ordered by the Upper Tribunal or equivalent in devolved administrations – landlords will also be able to challenge the making of such an order.

The government will today (10 October 2019) reaffirm its pledge to drive forward an infrastructure revolution with major investment in transport and the roll out of super-fast broadband to rural areas as ministers showcase the benefits of investment already taking place across the country.

Today’s series of visits are highlighting crucial work to increase access to opportunities across the UK and improve journeys for commuters, help the UK’s ports prepare for Brexit and roll out full fibre broadband to every corner of the country.

The Transport Secretary will be visiting Portsmouth International Port to see the crucial infrastructure that has been put in place, and learn how it is preparing for Brexit.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere will be announcing that the biggest road upgrade in the UK – the brand new dual carriageway on the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon – will open a year ahead of schedule.

The 12 mile bypass for the town of Huntingdon is part of a £1.5 billion project to upgrade 21 miles of the A14 in Cambridgeshire and will save drivers up to 20 minutes on journeys.

It follows news last week that 18 new road schemes across England have been given the go ahead by the Department for Transport, in addition to the £25.3 billion that has already been committed for investment in the strategic road network between 2020 and 2025.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman will visit the National Infrastructure Lab in Southampton, a state of the art research and testing facility, helping to deliver infrastructure that cost less, lasts longer, is environmentally sound, and is suitable for the modern world.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

This government is determined to deliver an infrastructure revolution. Today is all about highlighting the benefits of work taking place around the country which is improving journeys for passengers, connecting communities and increasing productivity.

This is just the start of our vision to modernise our infrastructure, invest in our transport and technology for the future and level up and unite the whole of the UK.

Transport Minister Paul Maynard will also today visit Leeds station to see upgrade works, part of the record £13 billion being invested by 2020 to improve transport networks in the north.

The government has been clear that it wants to drive growth across the north, including through Northern Powerhouse Rail, giving local leaders greater powers and investing £3.6 billion in towns across England.

And Environment Minister Rebecca Pow will visit one of Europe’s biggest infrastructure projects – the £3.8 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel – to learn how it will help to clean up the Thames.

Recognising that connectivity refers to digital as well as physical infrastructure, the government has also committed £5 billion to support full fibre broadband roll-out to the hardest to reach 20% of the country.

To underline the importance of digital infrastructure, Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan has today announced a new law to make it easier to install gigabit-capable internet connections for the 9 million people living in blocks of flats, where landlords repeatedly ignore requests for access from broadband firms. She will today see how industry are progressing with plans to deliver nationwide gigabit broadband at CityFibre install in Coventry, while Digital Minister Matt Warman will visit a Virgin Media broadband dig in Southampton.

Meanwhile, Exchequer Secretary Simon Clarke will visit Openreach to meet trainee engineers and learn more about the importance of fibre broadband in connecting businesses and homes.

Digital Secretary Nicky Morgan, said:

We’re pushing ahead with delivering the digital infrastructure that will underpin the UK’s future growth and boost our productivity.

We’ve just announced £5 billion so people in rural communities are not left behind and have access to the fastest internet speeds at the same time as everyone else. Today, we’ve also announced plans to ensure those living in blocks of flats and apartments are not left behind either.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said:

The government is determined to build the infrastructure this country needs. This includes high-quality, well designed, environmentally friendly homes, good transport links and access to fibre broadband, allowing local communities to prosper.

Every region across the UK has a key role to play in enhancing productivity and prosperity. This government is committed to boosting economic growth, to level up and develop towns and communities across the country.

Ministers from the Department for Education will be making visits to see the pipeline of skills the country will need to support the development of infrastructure in the future.

Schools Minister Lord Agnew will visit Sunderland College to speak to manufacturing, engineering and construction apprentices and Children’s Minister Michelle Donelan will visit New College in Durham, which has close links to the car manufacturer, Nissan.

Today the government also announced £88 million new investment to help close the productivity gap between the UK and major world economies and turbocharge British businesses. The investment will help develop software to harness the power of supercomputers and help kickstart the UK’s largest and most ambitious productivity institute, which will examine how to boost productivity levels across the country.

Minister for the Cabinet Office, Oliver Dowden, said:

We’re committed to delivering greener, technologically advanced infrastructure that both connects people across the country and helps in the fight against climate change – making sure the UK continues to be one of the best places to live and do business in the world.