19/7/2006 - Port of Workington steers a course for profitable waters

The Port of Workington has posted a strong set of figures on the back of a sharp upturn in business over the last year.

The figures, which have been published by the Workington Harbour Board who manages the port on behalf of Cumbria County Council, show that over the last twelve months the amount of goods imported by sea into Workington has risen by nearly 7 per cent.

Over the same period, exports from the Workington harbour have gone up by nearly 6 per cent. This, combined with a 2.5 per cent reduction in the port’s operational expenses and a healthy 7.2 per cent rise in operational revenue, has allowed the Port of Workington to post a trading surplus of £53,362 for 2005/06.

Earlier this year, the government published a report advising councils across England and Wales to use Cumbria County Council’s organisational changes at the Port of Workington as a blue-print for the future.

The report into the country’s municipal ports published in May 2006 by the Department for Transport recommends ‘that all local authorities carefully consider whether the experience of Cumbria County Council [at the Port of Workington] could bring similar benefits to their own ports.’

“A huge amount of work has gone into making sure the Port of Workington is given the flexibility and management it needs to continue playing an important role in the regeneration of West Cumbria.These figures show that the course we plotted in 2005 through the formation of the Workington Harbour Board is beginning to reap dividends,” said councillor Tim Heslop, the county council’s cabinet spokesman for the economy.

Bob Pointing, the chief executive of urban regeneration company West Lakes Renaissance, commented: “We are engaged in a comprehensive investment strategy at the Port that will ensure the facility becomes an even more important asset to West Cumbria over the next 5-10 years.   It is fundamental that this investment shows a return in the form of improved port operational trading and a growth in commercial activity on surrounding land.   The 2005/6 trading figures are therefore very encouraging.” 

“The recent good news about the trading surplus at the port pleases me greatly because it justifies the reason for us going into partnership with the County Council and West Lakes Renaissance in an effort to develop its potential. We of course recognise the efforts of all of the staff at the Port of Workington and we see the facility as absolutely vital to the regeneration of the whole of Allerdale.” said councillor Jim Musgrave, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council.

Janet Fallon, Chair of the Workington Harbour Board, said: "The financial results reflect the efforts made by the port to raise its profile with both new and existing customers.   The port continues in these efforts which will ultimately bring the port to financial sustainability."

ENDS

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