Associated British Ports (ABP), comprising of a network of five ports in South Wales, handled more than 12.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2015.
The ABP’s strongest sectors were animal feed and fertiliser industry, and the timber sector, while import and export of steel remained strong at all ports.
The ports also invested in an array of renewable energy projects, namely wind and solar projects, that collectively generated 7.8 million units of electricity in 2015.
An additional £4 million was invested in new cargo handling equipment and operational equipment at the ports, including the purchase of a Mobile Harbour Crane and the installation of a new fertiliser bagging line at the Port of Swansea.
“We have further investments planned for 2016 that encompass a wide range of port activity,” ABP Director South Wales, Matthew Kennerley, said.
“The result of ABP’s South Wales operations is an annual contribution of almost £1 billion to the Welsh economy. The vast assortment of businesses that use the ports also means that 15,000 Welsh jobs are supported by them along with an additional 6,000 supported in the rest of the UK.”