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ABP to acquire Marchwood military port operation

[ February 2, 2023   //   ]

Associated British Ports is to acquire Solent Gateway Ltd (SGL), operator of Marchwood military port on Southampton Water. ABP, which owns the nearby port of Southampton, says it will deliver Solent Gateway’s vision and support its plans, for development and job creation while substantially upgrading Marchwood’s capabilities as a defence facility.

Marchwood can support a range of vessels and has 158 acres zoned for logistics and rail connections. Solent Gateway operates Marchwood under long term agreements with the Ministry of Defence and already has planning permission for development.

BP Southampton regional director, Alastair Welch, said: “ABP’s involvement secures the investment SGL needs to realise the potential of the Marchwood site. We’ll be working with the SGL team to support their approved plans for development, supporting current jobs and delivering more skilled, well-paid jobs for the Solent region. The development of the site offers more opportunities and flexibility for new and existing users including, importantly, our armed forces.”

SGL port director, Richard Parkinson, commented: “SGL has made tremendous progress to-date in converting the Port of Marchwood into a highly attractive commercial port full of potential, and have nurtured and secured a strong and positive relationship with key stakeholders including the Ministry of Defence. Underpinned with the most recent achievements in respect to both planning and freeport tax and customs status, we are excited to embark on the next chapter of development backed by ABP.”

ABP chief executive Henrik Pedersen, added: “We are hugely excited about the strategic potential this new deal brings. It provides additional facilities and space in close proximity to the Port of Southampton, which will truly enable us to offer more solutions to customers and strengthen the region’s place as the UK’s most important export gateway, supporting jobs and industries throughout the UK.”

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