By
Alex Smith |
Members of the shipping industry have paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, following her death on 8 September.
Kitack Lim, secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has expressed condolences to the members of the Royal Family, the government and people of the UK and the Commonwealth. The UK is the host country of the IMO, and Her Majesty opened the organisation’s new headquarters in 1983, and also visited on its 70th anniversary.
"It is with great sorrow and sadness that we have learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” said Lim. “The entire membership of the IMO and its staff share the grief with deep sympathy at this difficult time.”
The UK Chamber of Shipping said it shared in “the deep sadness felt by everyone in the UK, Commonwealth and wider world,” describing the Queen as an “enthusiastic supporter of the maritime sector.” The Queen opened the Chamber’s premises in 1994.
“On behalf of the UK shipping community I pay tribute to Her Majesty’s lifetime of selfless service,” said Graham Westgarth, president of the UK Chamber of Shipping. “At this moment of national sadness, I extend the Chamber’s deepest sympathies to the entire Royal Family and especially to King Charles III as he begins his reign by leading the nation’s mourning.”
Key stakeholders in the cruise industry also shared their sadness at the news. Cruise Lines International Association said that it is “deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II” and described her as “a wonderful ambassador for cruise.” British cruise line P&O Cruises was among the cruise lines paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth, expressing “deep regret at the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen” and highlighting her role as godmother to two of the company’s ships, Oriana and Britannia.
Brittany Ferries was among the ferry companies who marked the news, saying that it mourned “the passing of a noble and distinguished monarch,” and announcing that all its ships would fly flags at half-mast as a mark of respect. Condor Ferries will also fly flags at half-mast, with the company saying that it was “truly saddened” by the Queen’s death. Meanwhile, UK ferry industry association Discover Ferries thanked her for “a lifetime of service to this country and the Commonwealth.”
Ports around the UK also reacted to the news, with Portsmouth Port saying that its “thoughts and prayers were with the Royal Family at this very sad time.” The Port of Dover sent its “deepest condolences and remembered “with pride” the Queen officially opening its two most recent ferry berths in 2005. The British Ports Association also said that it was “grateful for her long and dedicated service to this country.”