MSE discusses the future of Ports in the South East
Jonathan Williams, Chief Executive of Marine South East recently presented at a conference in Bremen, Germany on the future of City Ports in the light of the European Green paper on this subject.
The Green Paper looks at a range of issues, paying particular attention to the role of ports within the common transport policy. Until now Ports haven’t had a central role in the policy, yet they should become significant in the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) by:
• increasing the efficiency of the European transport system;
• encouraging growth of intra-EU trade and trade with third countries;
• overcoming congestion of the main land-corridors;
• enhancing maritime links with island and peripheral regions;
• strengthening the multimodal aspect of the TEN-T.
During his presentation at the conference, Jonathan Williams talked about the relationship between ports and port-cities, highlighting the issue of UK ports often not being considered as an integral part of a city. This issue is also being addressed in Southampton by the new Port City Futures initiatives, led by Business Southampton. Work is underway to develop greater public access to the port, and to explore future trans-shipment options, with Marine South East keen to work with Ports to look at realistic, long term solutions to shift freight from the road network onto waterborne modes.
Development of the Port of Southampton has been seen as a particular success story with the opening of the upgraded City Cruise Terminal. As Doug Morrison, ABP Port Director, Port of Southampton, commented at its opening:
“The ongoing revival of Southampton’s cruise business is a triumph, not just for us and our partners, but also for the maritime culture of the city of Southampton and the economy of the whole South-East. Every single passenger makes a meaningful contribution to the regional economy, and this year we are expecting 800,000 of them, more than ever before.
If you would like to find out more about the development of the Green paper contact jonathan@marinesoutheast.co.uk
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