Transformational Celtic Freeport bid unveiled
(Posted on 29/11/22)
A public-private consortium in the UK has unveiled their transformational bid for a Celtic Freeport, which will deliver an accelerated pathway for Wales’ net zero economy. The bid is expected to generate over 16,000 new jobs and generate up to £5.5 billion of new investment.
In front of a packed audience chaired by renowned BBC broadcast journalist, Sarah Dickins, and on the eve of the freeport bidding window closing, the bid team unveiled their vision to create a green investment corridor with long-term commitments on major port infrastructure upgrades, skills development and innovation, all rooted in the fair work principles and enduring trade union engagement.
The transformational bid covers the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot and spans clean energy developments and innovation assets, fuel terminals, a power station, heavy engineering and the steel industry across south-west Wales.
Celtic Freeport bid consortium is comprised of Associated British Ports (ABP), Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven.
The Celtic Freeport will accelerate significant inward investment in new manufacturing facilities to support the roll-out of floating offshore wind (FLOW) from the Celtic Sea, while providing the backbone for a cleaner future based on the hydrogen economy, sustainable fuels, carbon capture, cleaner steel and low-carbon logistics.
The bid also proposes an ambitious skills agenda that will harness the skills-base, industrial assets and education providers of today for the jobs of tomorrow through dedicated green skills programmes.
The launch event included a joint presentation with a launch video (see below) and Q&A from the core team behind the bid: Andrew Harston, Director Wales and Short-Sea Ports, Associated British Ports (ABP); Karen Jones, CEO, Neath Port Talbot Council; Will Bramble CBE, CEO, Pembrokeshire County Council; and Tom Sawyer, CEO, Port of Milford Haven. World-leading technology investor, successful professional in the mining and mineral sector and Chair of the Celtic Freeport, Roger Maggs MBE also presented to attendees.
The Celtic Freeport Consortium submitted their transformational bid to the UK and Welsh governments for assessment on 24th November. If selected, the successful bid will be announced in the first quarter of 2023.
“Celtic Freeport will mobilise significant international investment into the greener industries of tomorrow. Wales cannot decarbonise, unless south west Wales finds a path to net zero. Our vision will see two new green energy ports at Port Talbot and Milford Haven build out to help create masses of green power from floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea. This acceleration of the green economy will create thousands of high-quality jobs, while turbo-charging cleaner steel production and hydrogen generation.” Roger Maggs MBE, Chair of the Celtic Freeport bid consortium.
Latest News
EIB provides €80m loan for Bilbao expansion and electrification
(Posted on 17/12/24)The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an €80 million loan with the Port Authority of Bilbao... Read more
Steel supplier Outokumpu invests €40m at Mukran Port
(Posted on 11/12/24)Mukran Port on the island of Rügen, Germany, has gained a strategically important partner for the... Read more
AD Ports consolidates digital capabilities into Maqta Technologies Group
(Posted on 11/12/24)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group a leading enabler of global trade, logistics, and industry, has announced... Read more
Haivanship expands operations into northern Vietnam
(Posted on 04/12/24)Leading Vietnamese maritime-logistics operator Haivanship (HVS) is growing its Konecranes fleet with... Read more
Ghent boosts bulk handling with a Gen 6 Konecranes Gottwald MHC
(Posted on 29/11/24)Euroports Group is set to strengthen its bulk handling capacity at North Sea Port (Ghent) with the addition... Read more
Europe’s first fully electric tug delivered to Antwerp-Bruges
(Posted on 29/11/24)Damen Shipyards Group has delivered six RSD Tugs 2513 to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium. The... Read more
Hamburg bulks show mixed trends
(Posted on 20/11/24)Throughput of bulk cargo at the Port of Hamburg has experienced a slight recovery over the course of... Read more
LAR in Angola reinforces transport capacity with new wagons
(Posted on 20/11/24)The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) has taken an important step this week towards strengthening its transport... Read more
ABP’s Port of Hull welcomes two new build Eco Traders
(Posted on 13/11/24)The Port of Hull recently welcomed two new eco-friendly vessels built for charterer Ahlmark Lines AB... Read more
Port of Detroit awarded $24m by EPA for climate-friendly upgrades
(Posted on 12/11/24)The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in a historic move toward green infrastructure, has... Read more
