Port appoints global consultants to deliver ambitious masterplan

Portsmouth International Port has its sights on an ‘ambitious future’ and appointed international engineering and project management consultants Royal HaskoningDHV to help deliver its long term master plan.

From July consultants will engage with customers and stakeholders, looking at current market trends and growth forecast, to deliver a master plan for the port outlining development and design concepts.

The master plan will cover the entire port authority harbour area, including Portico and the Camber.

Once completed by the end of the year the master plan will contribute towards Portsmouth City Council‘s Local Plan, which is a statutory planning document.

Mike Sellers, Portsmouth International Port’s director said: “We’re poised for a dramatic transformation of the industry over the coming years, so now is an ideal time to scope out the role our port has to play in the economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic and also how the UK adapts to leaving the EU.

“We’re optimistic and have ambitious future plans, so what happens next has an impact locally, regionally and also nationally.

“We’re working with expert consultants Royal HaskoningDHV, who have experience managing some of the world’s most innovative and sustainable development projects, to investigate what our future could look like and how we can maximise opportunities.

“Building on the findings from our recent economic impact report, this next stage in our strategic development will look towards the next 20 years, focusing on our aims to become one of the most sustainable ports in the UK, adapting to the needs of our ferry and cruise customers, providing a vital catalyst for supply chains.

“Importantly our role in the community and the city’s vision will also be a focus for the final plan.”

The finalised master planning document will reveal concepts for how the port could look, with design ideas ideas and suggestions for development.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said: “We’re proud to be the UK’s most successful municipal port and understand that to continue thriving we have to make sure we’re in the best position.

“This master plan will play a substantial role positioning Portsmouth as one of the UK’s leading ports.

“It’s vital that we complete this master planning exercise to coincide with the city’s Local Plan, so it forms part of a vision for the entire city and beyond.”

Ben Challier, Maritime Business Director for Royal HaskoningDHV added: “Royal HaskoningDHV is delighted to be named as Portsmouth Harbour International’s Partner for the delivery of this masterplan. This work is perfectly aligned with our core values of providing sustainable and future-proof solutions. We are very excited to jointly deliver the masterplan that will allow growth and resilience to the Port and knowing that it plays a pivotal role within the Portsmouth City Council community too.

“We will draw upon our leading role in the market as well as our experience in delivering numerous successful port masterplans, both within the UK and globally, in today’s challenging environment as the possibility of a COVID induced recession and Brexit looms.”