Transport Minister Stephen Hammond visited the work to expand Southampton’s container terminal towards the end of 2013. The £150m project is in its advanced stages with construction of the four new high cranes, together worth £28m, well advanced. These stand on a new 500m quay designed to accommodate the latest generation of ultra large container vessels.

The dredging plans to deepen the 40km channel linking the port to the English Channel via the Nab Tower started in January to provide access for the deepest and largest vessels afloat to call at the port, including the new 18,000 teu container vessels that are currently coming into service. The main navigational channel used by commercial shipping will be deepened from a current minimum depth of 12.6m, at various points along its length to provide a significant improvement in flexibility and access to all port users.

The minister also opened the Orient Vehicle Terminal, the fifth vehicle handling terminal to be built in Southampton. This four-storey steel framed building creates three-acres of space for the inspection and storage of vehicles, imported or ready for export from the adjacent ro-ro berth. The structure can house 3,040 vehicles. The £7m Orient Vehicle Terminal is the latest in a £175m programme of investment from Associated British Ports designed to develop the business at the port.

Southampton Port director Doug Morrison retired in December 2013, and was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list. Mr Morrison retired after 45 years working for ABP. Before working in Southampton, he worked in a number of ports across the ABP group, including Hull, Goole and Ayr, where he began his career in 1968.