To mark the 65th anniversary of the creation of the Port of Milford Haven, The First Minister of Wales (Mark Drakeford), the Welsh Secretary and the Chair of the Welsh Select Committee and more than 200 guests came together at a gala dinner to celebrate the milestone.

Representatives from the south Wales Port’s broad stakeholder base including clients, business and community partners, and current and future generations, attended the celebration which provided a moment to pause and reflect but also, importantly, to look forward.

During the evening, a short film was launched which captures the organisation's rich history, alongside a glimpse into the promising future that lies ahead, rooted in the evolution of the nationally critical assets along the Milford Haven Waterway and green industries click here 

Milford Haven is a major trust port, the largest port in Wales and the third biggest port in the UK. It plays a critical strategic role in supplying the country with fuel, gas and electricity, with major multi-million investments underway to create a green future. The Port also plays a fundamental role in attracting tourists to Pembrokeshire, while promoting enduring partnerships with many youth, community and environmental groups.

An impressive line-up of speakers set out a clear vision for the Waterway, for Pembrokeshire, and for the region as Wales embraces the opportunities created by a Net Zero future.

“From humble beginnings, the Port has been on a remarkable journey,” reflected Tom Sawyer, CEO of Port of Milford Haven, while expressing his gratitude to all those who have contributed to the journey at the special evening.

He added: “As we embark on the next leg of our journey, the gala dinner was an opportunity to pause, reflect and look to the future. Over the past 65 years, we’ve gone from a bustling naval dockyard and fishing port, to become the country’s premier energy port. With our local and global partners, the future is bright: rooted in cleaner fuels, cleaner energy and innovation, with the Haven Waterway acting as green centre for excellence. The century ahead promises a bright future for the generations ahead, based upon fulfilling employment and a just transition to a cleaner future.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “As the UK’s leading energy port, Milford Haven waterway’s contribution to Wales’s economy, and the UK’s energy security, cannot be overstated.  Milford Haven Port has been the foundation for so much of the region’s economic prosperity, with thousands of local people providing the skills to support our natural gas and petrochemical industries. Congratulations to everyone involved on the anniversary and I look forward to many more decades of the Port’s contribution to Wales.”

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: “I was delighted to attend this celebration of 65 years of the success for the Port of Milford Haven. It’s now the foremost energy port in the UK – a remarkable achievement. And it was great to hear about the bright future for the Port as it continues to develop. I had the opportunity to set out the UK Government’s ambition for developing floating offshore wind the in Celtic sea, and the investments that we are making to support that vision. Of course the Port of Milford Haven will have a vital role to play in that future and I’d like to thank them for their continued hard work and investment in Wales.”

Also commenting on the port's milestone was the Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP, who said: “The Port is not just a part of Milford Haven; it is the beating heart of Milford Haven. It provides an identity and character to the town that is very special indeed. But it’s also a source of jobs and prosperity for the whole County of Pembrokeshire. So it is right that we celebrate this important milestone, while also looking ahead to the new opportunities that green energy will bring to the Haven. With the world once again facing a period of enormous economic and industrial change, the Port of Milford Haven is well placed to capture a new generation of investment and opportunities that will benefit local people.”

In Wales a planning application has recently been submitted by the Port of Milford Haven seeking approval for works to begin at Pembroke Port.

The application is for infrastructure needed to support the development of a world-class renewable energy and engineering hub, promoting economic growth and creating jobs and prosperity across south west Wales.

The marine energy opportunity off Pembrokeshire’s coastline is world-class.

The industry is already creating skilled, year-round employment in Pembrokeshire, taking advantage of the area’s natural wind, wave and tidal resource and its experienced and highly regarded supply chain. But the creation of a modern port facility will be critical to attracting and retaining this fast-growing industry, as well as other blue growth sectors.

“This is an important milestone in the project and after more than four years in development we are eager to move forward and continue to fulfil our role as a Trust Port by creating the foundations on which communities and businesses can thrive”, said Andy Jones, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven.

“This transformational development will play an important role in the region’s post-covid economic recovery as well as making a positive contribution to Wales & UK net zero decarbonisation targets”, Andy continued.

“These works are an integral part of the wider Pembroke Dock Marine project and we have every confidence that the development will create a more attractive operating environment for inward investors and for local businesses, creating year-round, highly- skilled, well paid jobs for our communities”.

The Pembroke Dock Infrastructure project has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government, together with private investment by the Port of Milford Haven. The works also form part of the wider £60m Swansea Bay City Deal funded Pembroke Dock Marine project.

If approved, work is expected to commence in 2021 with anticipated completion of the immediate works by 2025.

In south Wales, four Pembrokeshire students have been successful in securing scholarships from the Port of Milford Haven under its prestigious Scholarship Scheme as Afloat previously reported.

Launched in 2003, the Port (including the ferry terminal at Pembroke Dock) has already supported over 70 students through a financial award and work experience.

This year Ella Staden-Coats from Treffgarne, Joshua Price from St Davids, Menna John from Maenclochog and Sam Morris from Dale all impressed the panel with their academic and personal achievements, as well as their ambitions for the future.

Ella is studying English Literature with Writing at the University of the West of England in Bristol, Joshua is at Lancaster University studying Medicine and Surgery, Menna is on a Geography degree at the University of Liverpool and Sam is at the University of Bath studying Economics. They will all receive £1,500 and be invited to the Port for a work placement next year.

Sitting on the panel was Chairman of the Port, Chris Martin; Maxine Thomas, Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding and Learner Wellbeing at Pembrokeshire College and Headteacher of Haverfordwest High VC School Jane Harries.

Chris was once again impressed with the standard of applications, commenting “It was a privilege to speak to so many talented young people from Pembrokeshire, they are a credit to themselves and their families. I have no doubt they will all excel at university and into the future when they pursue their career aspirations. We hope the scholarships from the Port will assist them, not only financially, but through the valuable experience and skills they will gain from the work placements.”

University students totalling five from Pembrokeshire, Wales, are to receive scholarships from the Port of Milford Haven – one more than usual – as the standard proved to be exceptionally high this year.

The south Wales port has awarded scholarships on an annual basis consisting of a financial award of £1,500, plus a three-week work placement during the summer. The panel felt that the shortlisted candidates had so much to offer that they would provide an additional award as the winners were so deserving.

The successful students are Amelia Davies from Burton who is studying Business Management at Cardiff University; Fred Smith from Manorbier who is at the University of Bristol studying Politics and Philosophy; Grace Gibbon of Haverfordwest who is at Harper Adams University in Shropshire on a Rural Enterprise and Land Management course; Megan Matthews from Pembroke who is studying Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and Sophie Rees from Liddeston who is on a Gateway to Veterinary Medicine course at The Royal Veterinary College.

Chairing the scholarship panel was the Port of Milford Haven’s Chairman Chris Martin, accompanied by Maxine Thomas, Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding and Learner Wellbeing at Pembrokeshire College, and Sara Aicken, PR and Communications Executive at the Port.

Chris was extremely impressed with the standard of entries to the scheme this year, commenting “We usually award four scholarships but this time the competition was so strong we decided to bend the rules and award five! The winners are studying a variety of courses across a range of subjects all over the country, but all spent the majority of their education in Pembrokeshire, so we’re thrilled to be able to support local talent. The financial award is of course beneficial to them, but the summer placement is where the real value lies as it gives them a flavour of what it’s like to work in a busy, professional environment.”

The 2020/21 scholarship scheme will open for entries in the autumn.

At the Welsh Port of Milford Haven, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed this week with Bombora, to highlight their commitment to the marine energy industry in Pembrokeshire.

Originating in Australia, Bombora opened offices in Pembroke Dock in 2017 and has grown into a thriving business employing twenty-four full time staff.

The company is developing a 1.5 MW mWave™ wave energy converter demonstration device which will harness the potential of marine energy. This will see the mWave sits below the surface of the water where wave pressure causes its flexible rubber membrane to inflate and deflate pumping air through a turbine to generate electricity.  The technology is one of the most powerful wave energy demonstration devices to be built around the world to date.

The MOU signed by Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven Andy Jones and Managing Director of Bombora Sam Leighton, will help to strengthen collaboration between the two organisations with the aim of realising the economic and energy opportunities presented by marine renewable energy within the Swansea Bay City Region and further afield.

Andy Jones from the Port commented “There is huge potential for this growing industry here in Pembrokeshire and our base at Pembroke Port is becoming a key site for companies such as Bombora to fabricate and assemble large scale devices for deployment at sea.” He continued, “It’s not just the Port that is benefiting though; the local supply chain has already succeeded in securing contracts with Bombora and plenty more opportunities will become available as the sector grows”.

Meanwhile Bombora’s Sam Leighton said “Since setting up our operational headquarters in Pembroke Dock we have received unprecedented support from the local industry and community. The facilities at Pembroke Port offer us every opportunity to fabricate, assemble, launch, test and maintain our first utility-scale mWave here in Pembrokeshire. This agreement reaffirms our long term commitment to establish Pembrokeshire as a leading centre of excellence for marine renewables.”

At the Welsh Port of Milford Haven the annual Scholarship Scheme was launched today offering four Pembrokeshire students the chance to win £1,500, plus work experience at the UK’s largest energy port.

Almost seventy undergraduate students have received support from the Port over the past sixteen years and completed placements across the organisation including the Engineering, PR, Environmental and HR departments.

There are four awards on offer; to be eligible applicants must have attended a Pembrokeshire secondary school and be enrolled on an undergraduate course at a British university.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager, Anna Malloy, commented “Our Scholarship Scheme is a fantastic opportunity for students to not only secure some much-needed funds while at university, but also complete meaningful placements working on real projects in a busy, professional environment. I’d like to stress that students can be on any type of course, it doesn’t have to be marine related. Over the years we’ve had people enrolled onto all sorts of subjects, from Human Nutrition to Chemistry.”

Interviews will be held in person at the Port of Milford Haven’s headquarters on Wednesday 18th December by a panel consisting of the Port’s Chairman Chris Martin, Maxine Thomas from Pembrokeshire College and Headteacher of Haverfordwest High VC School Jane Harris.

To apply to the Scholarship Scheme please visit this link for an application form. 

Applications close on 22nd November.

The Welsh Port of Milford Haven located in Pembrokeshire is offering stakeholders the chance to comment on its performance, priorities and future plans. The annual Stakeholder Survey has been launched to gauge how the public view the UK’s largest energy port.

The 2018 results saw 85% of respondents respond positively, which is a 17% increase over two years. Other noteworthy outcomes were a shift in public perception around the strategy to promote renewable energy in Pembrokeshire, with an 8% increase in support up to 83%. The Port’s role in the community was widely supported as 95% of respondents agreed that it should continue its community work and 86% thought it was important to remain as a Trust Port.

Anna Malloy, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Manager, is encouraging anyone with an interest in the Port’s activities and operations to get involved. “The Milford Haven Waterway is a unique stretch of water that is used by a wide range of commercial and leisure craft, as well as supporting other important industries such as tourism and fishing. We’re keen to hear from as many people who interact with the Waterway and the Port as possible as we really value the feedback and use it to help shape our strategy moving forward”, she said.

The survey can be completed online at this link and should take no more than 10 minutes. Respondents will be asked to leave their contact details if they wish to enter a prize draw to win £100 of vouchers to spend in any Milford Waterfront retailer, restaurant or café.

The survey closes next Friday, 2nd August.

#Ports&Shipping - Winners of the annual scholarship scheme in the Welsh Port of Milford Haven, have completed summer work placements experiencing the organisation’s wide range of activities.

Rhiannon Morgan, Rebecca Foster, Elizabeth Jenkins and Isabelle Hughes were interviewed by a panel of judges who took into account their academic achievements, extra-curricular activities and ambitions for the future. They all received £1,500 plus work experience, undertaking projects related to their subject areas and interests.

Rhiannon from Houghton has just completed a Law degree at Aberystwyth University and was placed within the Estates team; Rebecca from Clunderwen is studying History in Durham and worked with the Tourism department; Elizabeth from Pembroke Dock is at Plymouth University studying Geology and spent time with the Environmental team and Isabelle from Roch who’s an Oxford University student reading Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry was placed within the Quayside Operations department.

The university students presented their projects to senior managers along with the scholarship panel which consisted of the Port’s Chairman Chris Martin; Maxine Thomas, Head of Safeguarding and Learner Services at Pembrokeshire College and Yvonne Evans, Chair of Governors at Milford Haven School.

Chris Martin was impressed with the standard of work produced by the students, commenting “The presentations were very thorough and it was clear that they found the placements to be of great benefit. The content was also really thought-provoking and I look forward to exploring some of the suggestions made with my colleagues.”

The 2018/19 Scholarship Scheme will be launched towards the end of September.

#Ports&Shipping - Residents and businesses in south Wales have expressed increased approval of the Port of Milford Haven’s performance over the last year, in the latest annual survey carried out on behalf of the Pembrokeshire port.

When asked how the Port was performing against their overall expectations, 85% of respondents responded positively, which is a 3% increase from last year and 17% increase over 2 years.

The impact of port operations and their influence on Pembrokeshire appears to be felt deeper into the hinterland than in previous years with nearly a third of respondents motivated to take part coming from inland areas away from the traditional port communities.

Other shifts in public perception include a further swing behind the Port’s strategy to promote renewable energy industry in Pembrokeshire, with an 8% increase in support (to 83%).

The Port magazine Onboard, which goes out to homes and businesses along the Waterway has grown in influence over the three years since its launch. It is now cited as the second most useful form of communication coming from the Port.

A recurring theme, reflecting the economic uncertainty felt in Pembrokeshire at the moment, was a call for the Port to continue to play a leading role in promoting and supporting new business opportunities on the Waterway with 90% in support. (See coverage on Milford Waterfront) Respondents also put forward a broad range of suggestions for how the Port should be investing in a way that attracts new trade and investment and supports communities and local interest groups.

“The responses underline how important it is for us to remain a strong business so that we can fulfil the role of a Trust Port, nurturing economic activity and communities around the Waterway,” said Alec Don, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven. “It’s clear a busy working port is good for the county and good for the nation too,” he added. “We take that responsibility very seriously and need to work with our partners to ensure we remain a principle agent for economic growth and prosperity in Pembrokeshire.”

The full Stakeholder Survey Report can be read on the Port’s website www.mhpa.co.uk/stakeholder-survey

#Ports&Shipping - An invitation to members of the public and the business community has been made to attend the Port of Milford Haven’s Annual Consultative Meeting later this month.

The event is taking place at the Bridge Innovation Centre in Pembroke Dock on Friday 27th July, starting at 2.30pm. Attendees will receive updates from the Port’s Chairman Chris Martin, Chief Executive Alec Don and leaders of flagship projects Pembroke Dock Marine and the Milford Waterfront Development.

A number of milestones have been reached over the past twelve months including unanimous approval for a revision to Milford Waterfront’s outline planning consent, the launch of Discover Coast and Cleddau boat trips, a new collaboration with The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the acquisition of Havens Head Retail Park in Milford Haven.

Alec Don, Chief Executive at the Port, commented “We’ve had another busy year and made good progress in delivering our diversification strategy to reduce over-reliance on the volatile oil and gas industry. We’re looking forward to sharing our achievements with everyone as well as our vision for the future, whether that be existing customers of the Port or members of the community who have a genuine interest in what happens in and around the Waterway.”

Doors will open at 2pm for a 2.30pm start and light refreshments will be available. Anyone interested in attending and submitting questions prior to the event can email [email protected] or call 01646 696156.