Just over 3,000 vessels entered Milford Haven last year, with a combined gross tonnage of 51,365,634. The figures are likely to go even higher when LNG ships begin arriving in the waterway later this year.

Port Authority chief executive Ted Sangster said the record performance was very gratifying and another indication of the ascendancy of the port in recent years.

'Milford Haven is the biggest port in Wales, and only four other ports in the UK handle more cargo than us, he said. 'We have worked consistently in recently years to become the most highly regarded port in the country. The fact that we have achieved this record is a testimony to the levels of service that we are able to offer, and I pay tribute to the hard work of our staff which has achieved that.'

Mr Sangster said that with LNG shipping due into Milford Haven very soon, its importance in the national context was set to increase rapidly.

'This year we are celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the creation of what is now the Port Authority, so it’s very exciting to have achieved this record at this time, he added. 'It’s great to set off into the next 50 years on a high, and we welcome the opportunity to continue to perform in the spotlight that the advent of LNG will inevitably shine on us.'