Associated British Ports, or ABP, has launched a consultation on the Port of Newport Master Plan, a document that sets out ABP’s future vision for growth and development at the Port of Newport from now until 2035.
Inviting stakeholders to have their say on the port’s future also, the draft Master Plan identifies what needs to be achieved by 2035 to ensure that the Port of Newport is in a position to capitalise on the commercial opportunities that will arise in the next 20 years.
It includes proposed infrastructure developments, such as the creation of new quayside, storage and warehousing, and the identification of strategic development plots to support growing market sectors, new customers and power generation facilities.
“Given the Port of Newport’s significance, and in accordance with government guidance, we believe that it is appropriate to set out our proposals for the future in a comprehensive Master Plan for the port,” said Matthew Kennerley, director of ABP South Wales.
“While we have serious concerns about the impact of the proposed M4 relief road on the port, this document details how the port could develop, and what needs to be done between now and 2035 to ensure that the port continues to grow in a sustainable and prosperous way.”
Mr Kennerley added that there are real opportunities for the Port of Newport, due to its location and ability to handle deep sea vessels of up to 40,000 tonnes.
The consultation gives those who are directly connected with the port as well as those with a wider interest in the economic development of the region and country as a whole the opportunity to feed in to the process.
“We will collate all of the comments received during the consultation and, where appropriate, incorporate them into the Master Plan with the intention of formally adopting it later this year,” said Mr Kennerley.
