The Port of Southampton has welcomed Suella Fernandes, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Exiting the European Union.
The Minister began her visit with a tour of the container port – the UK’s second largest container terminal which handled one million containers last year, before being given a tour of the wider port by ABP Southampton Regional Director Alastair Welch.
The Port of Southampton is the UK's number one export port, handling £40 billion of exports every year including 90 per cent destined for countries outside the EU. The total trade handled by the Port is worth some £75 billion.
Commenting on her visit to the port, the Minister said: “I was delighted to visit the Port of Southampton today - one of Britain's greatest ports - to hear what people here think of the opportunities and challenges Brexit will bring.
"Leaving the EU gives Britain the chance to agree ambitious new trade deals with other countries around the world, and ports like Southampton will play a key role in securing the future prosperity of our country.
"We have always been at our best when we are outward looking, and our ports and shipping industry epitomise this key strength."
By Jake Frith
