UK's Plymouth Sound Shipping Now Live on Webcam

Shipping traffic in Plymouth Sound, in the south of England, can now be viewed around the clock thanks to a newly launched live webcam. The initiative is part of Westward Shipping News, a specialist maritime website co-founded by well-known Plymouth businessman Kevin Kelway.

The platform will feature blogs, video content and in-depth articles covering a wide range of vessels, from leisure craft and fishing boats to cruise liners, container ships, naval vessels and offshore tonnage. In addition to opinion pieces and live-to-camera updates, the site will focus on maritime activity across Plymouth and other coastal areas in the South West. A 24-hour live webcam stream overlooking Plymouth Sound sits at the heart of the project.

Westward Shipping News emerged during the UK’s Covid lockdowns. Founders Kevin Kelway, Ian Fleming and Matthew Clarke began recording commercial and naval vessel movements in the Sound and quickly noticed growing interest from both the business community and the wider public in regional maritime activity.

Kelway, who serves as news editor, highlighted Plymouth Sound’s natural beauty and the city’s evolving maritime importance, particularly with its new freeport status expected to drive growth in the coming decade. He said the timing felt right to launch a dedicated media and blog platform centered on the area’s shipping scene.

Mr Kelway said: “I needed something to keep me going during Covid lockdown when I lost several PR accounts from my media agency Dorcas Media besides helping other SMEs with free media support at the time. I enjoyed taking pictures of all shipping movements outside of my window from container vessels to fishing boats, yachts, and especially naval warship movements that have featured in the local and national press.

“The daily images and audience started to grow online and I soon realised people really do like ship watching, and decided to set up with fellow shipping anoraks our exciting new venture Westward Shipping News.”

Matthew Clarke, the website’s journalist and film production manager, emphasized Plymouth Hoe’s global appeal and its dramatic waterfront setting. He said: “Plymouth Hoe is an international attraction and one of Britain’s greatest outdoor amphitheatres, and a must see place to visit, and why our Plymouth Hoe Webcam will take you out in the Sound wherever you are in the world.”

Ian Fleming, sales manager at Westward Shipping News, pointed to strong early interest in the live stream from audiences both in the UK and overseas. He said: “We are extremely excited by our live streaming webcam and already generating a lot of interest from across the UK and overseas. We are looking to develop commercial opportunities for local and international companies looking to advertise and sponsor on our live webcam and website, and are already creating a global audience with opportunities in sharing our webcam on other websites.”

With its continuous coverage and expanding content offering, Westward Shipping News aims to connect maritime enthusiasts worldwide with the daily activity unfolding in Plymouth Sound.