Port masterplans help to drive growth

The paper is part of a Port Futures programme led by the BPA and ABPmer which both see port masterplans as a useful way in which ports can shape and communicate their strategic plans by engaging with regional planners.

Tony Brooks, masterplanning lead at ABPmer, said that masterplans outline how a port intends to respond to change. “It begins with what is happening at the port now, and why,” he said. “It then explains what needs to happen in future. By going through the masterplanning process, ports can describe how they can facilitate development and investment whilst building in stakeholder interests.”

Calling on policy makers

The BPA is calling on policy makers to take note of masterplans so that the potential of ports can be included in wider strategies. The BPA’s chief executive, Richard Ballantyne said, “This report highlights the potential and process through which ports can transmit their aims and aspirations to policy makers.

“We are also keen that the UK government updates its Port Masterplanning Guidance for English ports which hasn’t been refreshed for over a decade.”

The paper highlights that port masterplanning deals directly with two of the most challenging issues facing the ports industry: understanding the nature of the rapid changes that are expected to hit economies over the coming decades and responding appropriately to such changes.