Net project sets sail (From Western Telegraph)

Net project sets sail

A NEW study to improve business links across the Irish Sea has been launched.

The South West Wales Gateway Study lays the foundations for the i-Sea.net Project, which aims to increase freight traffic through Pembrokeshire's ports as well as grow the business of haulage companies in west Wales.

The study analyses port activity and looks at future market opportunities and growth areas.

"With the Irish economy set to grow by at least six per cent over the next decade, Pembrokeshire is in a prime position to benefit from this growth," said John Davies, leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

"It will encourage commercial relationships and help elevate the bottleneck at Dublin Port by moving business south."

The i-Sea.net project is a collaboration between the Irish Exporters Association and ports in south east Ireland and Pembrokeshire and aims to develop the sector by improving skills through the understanding and use of new technology.

It's supported by the EU Interreg IIIA programme, with match funding from the Milford Haven Port Authority, the WDA, ELWa, Stena Line, HM Revenue and Customs and Pembroke-shire College.

PICTURED above at the recent launch are: Claire George (i-Sea.net project manager); Roger Barrett-Evans (Pembrokeshire County Council director of development); John Davies (leader of Pembrokeshire County Council); Robert Cone (head of transport network management at the Welsh Assembly Government); John Thomas (former chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council) and Mike Hatfield (MDS Transmodal, authors of the study).