SHIPPING MINISTER COMMEMORATES IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN PORT'S HISTORY
David Jamieson, MP, & Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, took the opportunity to visit Associated British Ports’ (ABP’s) Port of Southampton today, (Thursday, 16 October), as part of a planned programme of visits.
Mr Jamieson’s first stop on his tour of the Port of Southampton was ABP’s Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Centre, which was re-commissioned last year by HRH The Princess Royal following a £2 million refit. He saw first-hand how ABP’s Harbour Master’s department co-ordinates and manages the shipping and safety of all vessels and people using one of the busiest stretches of water and shipping lanes in the UK.
Upon arriving at the VTS Centre, Mr Jamieson was invited to unveil a commemorative plaque to mark the 200-year anniversary of the formation of the Southampton Harbour Authority. This occasion was an important milestone in the port’s history when, for the first time, a local legal committee was set up to run the harbour.
Escorted by Bo Lerenius, Group Chief Executive, Associated British Ports Holdings PLC, Andrew Kent, ABP Port Director, Southampton, and Captain James Chestnutt ABP Southampton’s Harbour Master & Deputy Port Manager, Mr Jamieson then took to Southampton Water in a harbour patrol launch for the rest of his tour which included getting up close to some of the world’s biggest container ships at Southampton Container Terminals as well as observing the multi-million-pound investments ABP has made at the port in the last couple of years.
Mr Jamieson said:
“The Port of Southampton is at the heart of the maritime industry here on the South Coast, supporting thousands of local jobs. It is a vital artery for the UK’s international trade, providing essential shipping connections from the UK to destinations all over the world.”
Other highlights of Mr Jamieson’s visit included the reconstructed and refurbished Mayflower and QEII cruise terminals, as well as ABP’s brand-new third terminal, the City Cruise Terminal, which became operational recently. The works at these terminals were part of a £10 million investment programme by ABP in its fast-growing cruise business. ABP Southampton’s £4 million, market-leading multi-deck car terminal also stood out on the port’s landscape as a further example of investment by ABP to ensure Southampton remains one of the largest, busiest and most efficient ports in the UK.
Speaking after the visit, Bo Lerenius said:
“The ports industry has always needed to develop and change in order to continue to thrive. In this rapidly-changing world, ABP is already implementing the changes required to ensure that it will continue to meet the challenges posed by the constantly changing needs of the transport industry.”
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