The event was attended by over one hundred guests including the Rt Hon David Jones MP, Secretary of State for Wales; Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport; Admiral the Rt Hon Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC, former Head of the Royal Navy; and His Excellency Thambynathan Jasudasen, the High Commissioner of Singapore.
Guests joined ABP in marking a milestone anniversary for its Port of Southampton with entertainment by the acclaimed sea shanty singers, The Roaring Trowmen. ABP Chief Executive James Cooper also announced the findings of the group’s recent economic impact study, showing that in 2012 ABP contributed £5.6 billion to the UK economy and supported 84,000 jobs. The study, undertaken by Arup, also demonstrates that ABP’s current planned investment of £450 million promises an extra £1.6 billion for the economy in the years ahead.
Mr Cooper said: “ABP was delighted to welcome so many distinguished guests to mark London International Shipping Week and celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Port of Southampton.
“The success of our event demonstrates the strong support for an initiative to promote the UK port and maritime sector, recognising its essential contribution to our economy.
“The excellent turnout was also of course a tribute to the Port of Southampton’s ongoing success as a leading international gateway. For example, a recent independent study by the Journal of Commerce has found that Southampton is the most efficient container port in Europe.
Photo: (Left to right) His Excellency Thambynathan Jasudasen, the High Commissioner for Singapore; Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport; and James Cooper, ABP Chief Executive