Associated British Ports has announced the latest tranche of its major capital investment programme, which secures the long-term future of its five South Wales ports.
The new investment of £42 million includes delivery of a new deep-water berth at Middle Quay, Newport, the UK’s largest steel-handling port, and will also facilitate upgrades at Swansea and Cardiff.
It forms part of a total capital investment programme of £137 million for ABP in South Wales, designed to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of South Wales’ port infrastructure.
The announcement coincides with the Welsh Government’s Investment Summit, where the First Minister highlighted several major investments in Wales an event ABP is proud to attend as part of its commitment to driving growth and opportunity across the region.
The landmark development at the Port of Newport, with the introduction of a new quayside, represents a significant opportunity to increase the port’s handling capacity.
It will enable the port to handle some of the world’s largest vessels and strengthen its role in global supply chains. It will also unlock significant opportunities for businesses seeking access to international trade routes.
Alongside the Newport upgrade, ABP’s investment will deliver significant infrastructure improvements at its ports of Swansea and Cardiff two locations that play a vital role in supporting diverse cargoes and regional industries.
First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, stated that long-term investment in the port infrastructure is vital to economic growth and international trade and investment, especially to key strategic industries such as offshore wind.
Ashley Curnow, Divisional Port Manager, Wales and Southwest at ABP, commented that introducing a new deep-sea berth to the market is a cornerstone of a strategy for Newport and for the South Wales ports more widely.
The new berth will be capable of accommodating vessels up to 220m LOA.
With multi-modal connectivity, including direct access to the M4 and links to the national rail network, the Port of Newport provides unrivalled logistics advantages for bulk cargo, project cargo, and steel products.
Businesses will also benefit from open storage opportunities of up to 8 acres and build-to-suit industrial and warehouse units of up to 133,000 square feet, creating flexible solutions close to the quay.
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