Updated - 23/3/2022 - Added map for 'Customs Site No.1 Solent' at Marchwood, revised Fawley Waterside to reflect newly published Solent Freeport brochure. Introduction Two years have passed since HM Government announced the Freeport Consultation. Since that time, the eight shortlisted Freeport teams still in competition for Treasury funding have kept their cards close to … Continue reading Solent Freeport – Observations on the Freeport Tax Sites
Category: Commercial Shipping
The Solent Freeport puts our focus back on Dibden Bay
In the 2021 March budget, the Solent was shortlisted as the potential site for one of eight Freeports to be set up in the United Kingdom. The Government’s Freeport ‘Bid Prospectus’ set out the overall scale of a Freeport and demonstrated how the maximum ‘outer boundary’, a 45Km circle, could fit with the geography of … Continue reading The Solent Freeport puts our focus back on Dibden Bay
What might the ‘Solent Freeport’ mean for the Solent area?
In the last budget, the Solent was shortlisted as the site for one of ten Freeports to be set up in the United Kingdom. Since that time, we've seen little or no detail in the public domain regarding what the Freeport opportunity could mean for the Solent region. In this article, we try firstly to … Continue reading What might the ‘Solent Freeport’ mean for the Solent area?
Solent Freeport bid shortlisted in the Chancellor’s Budget announcement
The Solent Freeport bid was submitted by Solent Local Enterprise Partnership based on a coalition of businesses, associated local authorities and other partners. In today's budget announcement, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak announced that Solent has been selected as one of the eight UK sites for which Freeport's will now be developed. This report from the … Continue reading Solent Freeport bid shortlisted in the Chancellor’s Budget announcement
Portsmouth welcomes ‘Victoria of Wight’
The new Wightlink ferry for the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route arrived in Portsmouth Harbour today having left the shipyard in Turkey on Monday July 16. She's been towed through the Mediterranean and north across the Bay of Biscay by the specialist offshore support vessel Amber II. 'Victoria of Wight' can carry up to 178 cars and more … Continue reading Portsmouth welcomes ‘Victoria of Wight’
New Cowes Harbour restrictions
The following guidance has been received from Cowes Harbour "A breakwater Exclusion Zone marked by IALA buoyage will be established off Cowes during the construction period from May 2014 and will vary in size and shape from time to time. Boats, whether racing or preparing to race or have finished racing and in whatever direction … Continue reading New Cowes Harbour restrictions
Red Funnel Southampton terminal could relocate
Some clever digging by "On The Wight" has revealed a possible relocation for the Red Funnel ferries terminal in Southampton (if the Royal Pier redevelpment proceeds).. For more information click here
Solent collision – official Coastguard video
Official Coastguard video of Atalanta of Chester colliding into the Hanne Knutsen in the Solent. Interesting to note the track of the SP launch (ahead of the tanker) which clearly tried to prevent a collision
RYA Launches safety campaign
The RYA, following its long established policy that "education is better than regulation" has launched a major new safety campaign at the London Boat Sow The new campaign features four main themes:- Look after Yourself Gave a Plan Keep in Touch Know your Limits Click here to view the introductory video Click here to see … Continue reading RYA Launches safety campaign
The ABP Approach Channel Dredge starts
For the full Notice to Mariners issued by ABP concerning the dredgers, please click here Some 3million cubic metres of material will be removed.
Solent Protection Society 