Lerenius: Happy with report findings

Lerenius: Happy with report findings

Bo Lerenius, chief executive of Associated British Ports Holdings plc, has welcomed the House of Commons' Transport Select Committee's report on UK ports.

The report said: “The UK ports industry makes a vital and unique contribution to the country's economy, commercial activity and social well-being.” Naturally, Lerenius was delighted with its findings. “This is the first time that parliament has examined the modern ports industry of the UK and it is very encouraging that MPs of all political parties are positive about what they have found. The ports industry makes a very big contribution to the success of the UK economy and it is good to see this being publicly recognised.”

The report also acknowledged the changes that have occurred since the large-scale privatisation of the UK industry in the 1980s ñ changes that Lerenius believes have placed UK ports at the leading edge of world productivity and efficiency.

The Committee saw the need for additional port capacity to facilitate more direct shipments to UK shores, and decrease the dependence of transhipments from continental ports. Again Lerenius agreed: “Right here, in Southampton today, we can see the pressing need for additional port capacity to secure the long-term future of this leading UK hub. We look forward to the earliest possible approval by the government of our Dibden Terminal project, so that the port of Southampton can continue to contribute to the UK's prosperity.”

The report also foresees a greater link between rail and sea freight. “We are working closely with the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail to seek a way of delivering an increase in the capacity of the railfreight route between Southampton and the West Midlands,” said Lerenius.