PRAISE FOR PORT INVESTMENT

Parliamentary transport sub-committee chairman Rt Hon Gwyneth Dunwoody MP has welcomed the investment by Milford Haven Port Authority in its newly upgraded VTS which she said would help the port “stay ahead of others”.

Mrs Dunwoody, whose influential Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Transport is currently undertaking a review of the UK ports industry, said at an official opening of the system, “I value the work being done by Milford Haven Port Authority, and its vital contribution to supporting the local economy.”

The MP unveiled a plaque marking the completion of the Port Authority’s £750,000 investment before an audience of representatives of the oil and marine sectors, Board members and senior management, together with representatives of Denbridge Digital Ltd of Bootle who supplied and commissioned the new equipment and technology for the VTS upgrade.

Key features of the new AIS-ready package are:

• new and additional radars
• a VHF direction finder system to identify which ship is broadcasting
• a full digital and analogue audio and video record and replay system
• full integration with other information sources including tides and wind speed
• direct link to a comprehensive database of information on ships’ previous movements, activity by berth etc, tailor made for Milford Haven.

Port Authority Chief Executive, Ted Sangster, welcomed Mrs Dunwoody to the largest port in Wales, 6th largest in the UK.

Harbourmaster, Captain Mark Andrews, said Mrs Dunwoody’s visit provided an opportunity to show and explain the operation of the Authority’s significant investment. He outlined the development of the Port’s surveillance system from the introduction of the basic signal station in 1964 to the integrated computerised controls introduced in 1987 and its regular upgrading thereafter, culminating in this recent investment in updated technology, the commissioning of two new radar sites and the introduction of an integrated database. Mrs Dunwoody emphasised that ports were places which ships wanted to get in and out of safety, quickly and efficiently. “As a nation, the UK still depends on ports for the transportation of goods,” she said.

Her Sub-Committee, she explained, had visited many ports both within and outside the UK and she was fascinated to see that Milford Haven Port Authority had made a significant investment in port development which confirmed its position as a major world port making use of up to date technology.

“Milford Haven Port Authority plays an important role in supporting the local economy,” she said. “Your investment here ensures that the port stays ahead of others.

“In the UK, to remain competitive we must be in the lead in providing effective port infrastructure and having seen what has been provided here, I would expect Milford Haven Port Authority to continue to be at the forefront of such development in the years ahead.”