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ABP launches Marchwood scheme

[ March 28, 2024   //   ]

Associated British Ports (ABP) has broken ground on the first phase of the ABP Solent Gateway development of the Port of Marchwood. MP for New Forest East, Sir Julian Lewis, officially started the construction of the 21-acre site development accompanied by representatives from Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, the Solent Freeport and UK Government departments.

The development, backed by £25 million of investment for this first phase, will improve landside and marine facilities to strengthen the Solent’s position as a leading gateway for trade as well as increasing the capacity of the port to support MOD operations.

Marchwood is one of the first sites within the Solent Freeport being developed.

Director of Marchwood Port, Richard Parkinson, said: “This multi-million-pound investment is absolutely key to realising the potential of the Port of Marchwood both as a thriving port and to support our armed forces. It adds much-needed additional port capacity to the Solent region..”

Sir Julian Lewis added: “After years of careful planning, today marks an exciting – indeed, groundbreaking – new stage in the evolution of ABP Solent Gateway at Marchwood Port. With its rich heritage as an embarkation point for D-Day, 80 years ago, and its unique current status as the UK Armed Forces’ sea mounting centre, Marchwood Port will benefit and thrive in both its military and commercial roles, as a result of this ambitious upgrading of its facilities. As part of the future Freeport, the modernised site will undoubtedly play a vital part in the complex mix of environmentally sensitive and economically valuable locations, here on the Waterside.”

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