Associated British Ports (ABP) has launched two development sites in Newport to support a regeneration project covering about 95 acres.
Since the beginning of the year, ABP has made close to 600 acres of land available to the market as part of its ongoing port-centric manufacturing initiative.
The sites in Hull, Southampton, Cardiff, Grimsby and Newport can support about six million sq ft of development and offer “particular opportunities” for the manufacturing, logistics and renewable energy sectors.
The Atlantic and West Way Road sites at the Port of Newport comprise 73 and 22 acres respectively, with the wider area handling more than £1bn of trade per year.
Helen Thomas, ABP’s head of property for Wales & Short Sea Ports, said: “These development sites are ideally suited for port-centric manufacturing and logistics uses.
“At a time when energy costs are surging, our on-site power generation and access to green energy supplies means we can provide effective and economical power solutions for our occupiers.”
She added: “We’re seeing growing interest from international manufacturing and logistics businesses attracted by the strategic location of our Welsh ports.”
ABP is already bringing forward port-centric manufacturing projects, including a new plasterboard manufacturing plant, which was substantially completed earlier this month. This will be operated by Knauf, and subject to final commissioning, is expected to be fully operational by the end of this year.
The site will create more than 50 jobs, making it a “welcome addition” to the South Wales economy.
Ian Stokes, managing director of Knauf UK, said: “This new plant will significantly increase our ability to service customers throughout the UK, and particularly those in South Wales, the Midlands and the South-West of England.”
Cushman & Wakefield and CBRE are advising ABP on the marketing of the Newport sites.
