PLA News Releases
2016
![New Thames apprentices celebrated](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/plaapprentices011-small.jpg)
Transport minister, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has marked the end of National Apprenticeship Week today (Friday, 18 March), by presenting eleven Thames apprentices with Maritime Skills Diplomas.
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The Port of London Authority’s Thames Vision project has won an award from the City livery company of the transport industry, the Worshipful Company of Carmen.
Read more![Thames Vision project wins award](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/carmenmansionhouseawardsbanquet9-small.jpg)
Port of London Authority (PLA) chairman, Christopher Rodrigues CBE has heralded a bright future for the Thames, identifying strong prospects for growth and a new skills academy to facilitate the training of people to work on the river.
Read more![Thames set for a bright future](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/christopherrodriguescroppedsmall.jpg)
The Port of London saw larger ships than ever calling last year as the tonnage of cargo handled at Thames terminals climbed to 45.4 million tonnes (up 2% on 2014).
Read more![Bigger ships than ever call at the Port of London as trade increases](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/aw27469-small.jpg)
A rare survivor of London’s historic docks will be celebrated by a major new gallery opening at the Museum of London Docklands on 25 March; the first part of a major development to transform the Museum of London Dockland’s galleries.
Read more![Museum of London Docklands explores history of the largest docks in the world](/assets/mld.png)
Forth Ports confirms that it has entered into an agreement to purchase 152 acres of land, including a further deep water jetty, close to the East of the Port of Tilbury in Essex. The acquisition price is not being disclosed, however it is expected that at least £100m will be invested in infrastructure and facilities on the land.
Read more![Port of Tilbury set for expansion following major land acquisition](https://www.pla.co.uk/assets/rwelandsummary.jpg)
The Port of London Authority is recruiting twelve new pilots this year to respond to increased traffic on the Thames.
Read more![Port of London Authority looking to expand its team of marine pilots](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/mg7859small.jpg )
A national drowning prevention strategy that aims to halve the number of fatal incidents on or near water will be launched on 29 February by Transport Minister Robert Goodwill MP
Read more![Water safety group’s call to action to reduce drowning](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/nationalwatersafetyforum.jpg)
Residents in Grays and the surrounding areas are encouraged to join one of the biggest litter picks along the beach on February 27 from 10am to 1pm. Organised by Thames21, this event aims to improve the health of the waterways along this stretch of the River Thames by using community support to bring about change.
Read more![Join the great Grays litter pick!](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/binitforacleanerthames.jpg)
Tilbury’s London Container Terminal announces that Streamlines’ new Blue Stream weekly service will call at London’s major port from February, as part of a new service linking Northern Europe to and from the Caribbean, Central America and Florida.
Read more![Tilbury’s London Container Terminal secures new Caribbean service](https://server1.pla.co.uk/assets/seatradephoto.jpg)