Port of Southampton Bringing Home the Bacon

The latest statistics from consultants Arup show that the Port of Southampton contributes £990m (USD 1,69bn) to the UK economy every year, including £714m (USD 1,22bn) for the Solent region.

They also show that the port supports 14,730 jobs.

The report confirms that ABP has retained its position as the UK’s number one cruise port, welcoming 1.7 million passengers in 2013 – more than any other cruise port in the UK.

Southampton has also been recognised as the number one cruise turnaround port in Europe.

Over the past five years ABP has invested over £100m (USD 170m) to help drive growth and secure jobs in Southampton.

Its investment for the future is continuing and over the next five years ABP plans to spend a further £150m (USD 256m) to develop the port.

This investment will increase the port’s contribution to the UK economy by an estimated £437m (USD 747m) every year.

Clive Thomas, ABP Southampton’s Port Manager, said: “These latest figures, of which we are extremely proud, underline yet again the vital contribution made to the regional and national economy by the Port of Southampton. Not only does it support thousands of jobs in the Solent region but thousands more across the country.

Our cruise operation continues to grow, both in scale but in our reputation for customer service, and we are now the leading turnaround cruise port in Europe.

Not only that, the port really is a critical part of the UK supply chain and an essential cog in the machine of the UK economy.”

The Port of Southampton is the fourth largest port in the UK and the leading port for car handling, with the latest figures showing the port handled 745,000 vehicles last year, two thirds of which were for export.

It is Europe’s most efficient container port, and handled 26 million tonnes of commodities in 2013.

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Press Release; July 21st, 2014