ABP Port of Southampton has been named the Port of the Year at the prestigious National Transport Awards 2015.
It’s the latest in a long line of accolades for the port this year, including retaining its titles of Europe’s most productive port, the UK’s number one cruise port and the country’s top car handling port. Just last month it was confirmed as the country’s fourth busiest port, climbing up one place from last year.
Southampton beat off stiff competition to claim its latest award, with last year’s winner Port of Tyne and Peel Ports Group’s Port of Liverpool both among the contenders along with ABP’s Port of Hull.
Judges were impressed by ABP’s drive to constantly improve operations and facilities, with more than £150m being invested in the last two years alone. Last year saw the port take the wraps off its fifth multi-storey vehicle handling terminal, a project worth £7m, and significant investment has also been made into the port’s rail infrastructure, which supports its vehicle handling business. The results of the investment have already been proven, with the port seeing a 12% growth in the number of vehicles it handles.
Nick Ridehalgh, ABP director Southampton, said:
“This fantastic accolade is testament to the hard work of the staff across the entire port, from those delivering our ambitious business plans to those who contribute to the incredibly smooth operations that take place 24 hours a day.
“Our constant drive to constantly improve operations and facilities is all about doing our part to keep Britain trading. The more we can help businesses import and export their goods, the more we can help the cogs of UK industry to turn and contribute to the economy.”
The latest figures show that the port contributes £990 million to the UK economy every
year, including £714 million for the Solent region. It also supports 15,000 jobs.
Supported by the Department of Transport and Passenger Focus, the National Transport Awards ceremony took place last night (October 8) at Westminster Park Plaza, London, and saw the country’s leading transport service providers heralded for their sterling work.
To find out more about ABP Southampton visit www.abports.co.uk
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