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Southampton signs first port partnership

[ September 10, 2019   //   ]

ABP Southampton has launched the first Port Economic Partnership (PEP) in the UK in conjunction with the Department for Transport.

The initiative aims to create stronger links between ports and Government and maximise long-term trade and economic growth.

The partnership will be launched at an event at London International Shipping Week, on board the NLV.

As part of its Maritime 2050 strategy, launched in January, the Government outlined PEPs as a way of creating a strong business environment for ports to thrive.

The PEP will focus on areas such as  leveraging public and private sector investment and ensuring that planning processes are as efficient as possible, in order to facilitate ports’ investment in new freight-handling facilities and other infrastructure. It will also ensure that public and private sector organisations work together to improve global trading links after Brexit.

Maritime minister, Nusrat Ghani, said: “This fantastic endeavour will be key to supporting the ambitions of Government, helping to cement the UK as a leading maritime nation. Not only this, but this project will also allow the Port of Southampton to drive sector growth, enhance its offer to customers and serve its local community.”

ABP’s regional director for Southampton, Alastair Welch, said: “It’s great to see the Government put maritime at the heart of the nation’s economic future. This is another fantastic initiative capable of turbo-charging trade and boosting the nation’s exports. ABP looks forward to working collaboratively with Government to deliver the benefits which the Partnership will bring to support the Port of Southampton’s future growth. Ultimately, this important step will safeguard our position as the UK’s number one export port and a leading gateway for international trade, making significant contributions to jobs and the UK economy, both regionally and nationally.”

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