ABP unveils latest large ports spending

A total of £137 million (€156 million) has been earmarked for the five ports – Cardiff, Newport, Barry, Swansea and Port Talbot – which employ almost 22,000 people, it says.

The latest amount is £42 million (€48 million) for a new deep-water berth at Newport, which is the UK’s largest steel-handling port. It will also be spent on upgrades at Swansea and Cardiff.

“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,” says ABP. “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.”

Swansea and Cardiff, ABP says, play a vital role ‘supporting diverse cargoes and regional industries’, with Cardiff being a key hub for building materials, agribulk and project cargo.

“Introducing a new deep-sea berth to the market is a cornerstone of our strategy for Newport and for our South Wales ports more widely,” said Ashley Curnow, Divisional Port manager, Wales and Southwest at ABP. ”It is rare to see a new quayside of this scale come to market, and it will unlock new opportunities for trade and investment across the region.

“We’re proud that Newport is the UK’s leading steel-handling port and its strategic location means it plays a vital role in connecting Welsh industry to international markets and supporting the UK’s wider supply chain.”