Port Of Milford Haven News

A project to transform the Port Talbot into a major hub for floating offshore wind (FLOW) and green energy development has come one step closer to securing a share of up to $200 million (£160 million) of UK Government funding.The UK Government has agreed to take forward the Future Port Talbot project and the Port of Cromarty Firth to undergo due diligence as part of the next stage of its Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOWMIS).The due diligence process…

A powerful virtual-reality ship simulation system, operated by the Port of Milford Haven is running courses to train tug boat operators from across Britain. The Navigation Suite, based at Milford Waterfront, creates highly realistic computer-generated versions of any port in the world, giving trainees the opportunity to take the controls of any vessel, including tugboats, to practice scenarios. Tug skippers from Williams Marine Services and Teignmouth Harbor Commission spent two days undertaking theory based safety training and working on simulated ‘as real’ scenarios within the port.

Safe navigation is a priority operating principle for the UK’s largest energy Port, the Port of Milford Haven. And earlier this week the Port demonstrated that commitment with the unveiling of its new, state of the art marine navigation simulator. Significant investment has been made in developing this new facility, and it is an exceptional tool. Built using MARIN’s latest software, DOLPHIN, the navigation suite is positioned to lead the market in training and exercise scenarios.

St Brides, the first of three 19-meter pilot boats built by Mainstay Marine for the Port of Milford Haven, has recently been launched. Shipbuilder Mainstay Marine Solutions called the £3.6 million contract a flagship project, with delivery for the second and third vessels due in April and July, respectively. A naming ceremony will be held for all three vessels late July this year. The new pilot boats are an upgraded version of the Picton Pilot Boat built by the company in 2006.

South Wales maritime engineering company Mustang Marine has rebranded as Mainstay Marine Solutions. The Pembroke Dock based workboat, marine energy device and waterside infrastructure specialist has adopted a new name and corporate image following its first year under new ownership. The company, which was bought out of administration in May 2014 by a group of nine investors, said it has thrived under its new ownership and is on course to double its workforce compared to 12 months ago, increasing from 27 employees in June 2014 to 60 today.

Workboat and marine energy device builder Mustang Marine has won a $5.34m contract to construct three new pilot boats for the Port of Milford Haven. The Pembroke Dock-based company is now looking to recruit new workers locally in a number of skilled positions to meet an increased demand for its services, having already increased the size of its workforce to 54 people over the last nine months. The new contact will see Mustang build three 19m pilot boats at its deep-water facility at Pembroke Dock.

One of the most senior figures in the UK Ports Industry, Peter Jones, has been appointed Chairman of the Port of Milford Haven and will take up the post on 1, August 2013. Having retired earlier this year as Chief Executive of the UK’s largest ports group Associated British Ports, and with a career stretching back over 30 years in the ports sector, Mr Jones will bring a wealth of experience to the UK’s 3rd largest port. The Port of Milford Haven is the country’s single largest energy gateway responsible for handling up to 25% of the UK’s seaborne energy trade.

The Welsh Secretary of State David Jones has announced his intention to host a reception during September’s London International Shipping Week to highlight the importance of the Welsh maritime sector. And he has highlighted the economic importance of Welsh ports, stating, “Welsh ports, their industry and the passengers and freight passing through them, form a vital part of the economic infrastructure of Wales. They also make a wider contribution to the U.K. In an article written for the U.K. Chamber of Shipping’s website, David Jones MP, Secretary of State for Wales said, “I believe the U.K.

Leading UK oil and gas terminal, Port of Milford Haven, has become one of only three ports in the UK to achieve European-wide accreditation for the standard of its Environmental Management System, having recently been awarded an EcoPorts PERS certificate. Lloyd's Register recently evaluated the Port's Environmental Management System documentation and awarded Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) the EcoPorts PERS certification. The assessment process is part of the European Sea…

There has been a further twist in the long-running saga over the safety of shipping Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into the Milford Haven waterway, reports the 'Western Telegraph'. Recently the European Commission issued a formal notice over ‘failure to comply with safety rules’. The EU’s Environmental Impact Assessment Directive requires such risks to be assessed and the findings to be made public. A formal notice is a preliminary step, which ultimately could lead to action before the European Court of Justice if a member state does not comply. It follows a long campaign to get risk assessments relating to the shipment of LNG released to the public.

Britain will introduce new port safety rules resulting from lessons learned from the Sea Empress tanker oil spill in 1996. The UK Government will introduce a Port Marine Safety Code early next year, Shipping Minister Keith Hill said at a harbor masters' seminar. "Recent maritime history, including the grounding of the Sea Empress in 1996, has demonstrated the need to improve port safety to save lives and safeguard the environment," Hill said. The code would bring in a new safety management regime, establish a yardstick for harbor authority responsibilities for port safety and promote good practice, he said. The Sea Empress spilled over 70,000 tons of oil when it grounded trying to enter the Welsh port of Milford Haven.