The Port of Milford Haven has published its Annual Report for 2018 highlighting a steady year’s trading. Lower earnings from cargo on the Waterway, offset by diversified earnings on land have kept the Port of Milford Haven in good shape.
In its 60th year since its creation by an Act of Parliament in 1958, turnover dropped from £22.4m to £22.1m, and the business recorded a slight loss after tax of £1m, primarily due to exceptional property revaluations and pension service costs. However, the business generated significant cash flow, retained robust reserves and continued at a measured pace with its landside diversification plans, particularly in the creation of a vibrant visitor destination at Milford Waterfront. The Port’s strategy to develop long term and sustainable income streams also saw it progress with plans to make Pembroke Port a leading centre for marine renewable energy and engineering businesses.
In his introduction to the Annual Report, the Port’s Chair, Chris Martin stated that the 60th Anniversary brought opportunity to reflect on a decade of significant change on the Waterway, which, with the arrival of LNG and continued investment by Valero in its refining and handling capabilities, has reaffirmed the Port’s status as part of the UK’s critical infrastructure.
“Following a decade of investment, combined with our own focus on creating facilities that are attractive to the emergent marine energy industries, the Milford Haven Waterway remains a powerful economic hub. As the next decade beckons, we are not standing still and will invest to deliver long-term stable growth,” wrote Chris.
Interim CEO Andy Jones stated that this business stability, allowing the Port to invest in infrastructure, comes at a time when the nation is recognising how vital ports are to the UK economy.
“95% of the UK trade is transported by sea. Yet it’s done with such efficiency that it has taken Brexit for the port sector’s fundamental value to be recognised,” wrote Andy. “We need continued investment in port infrastructure to make the most of trade opportunities. We also see a strong case for port environments to expand and act as catalyst locations for the growth of key UK industries,” he continued.
To view online, please go to: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/annual-report-2018/.
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Notes to Editors
Port of Milford Haven
The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.
The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.
The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.
One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities. Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes. All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives.
For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk