Associated British Ports (ABP), owners and operators of Southampton Docks, has embarked on an “ambitious programme of change” guiding the company’s future to ensure best customer service and aimed at winning new business in a highly competitive and changing market.

Chief executive, James Cooper, outlines the commercial strategy, entitled “Good to Great”, in ABP’s newly published annual review of 2015 which reveals volume of cargo passing through its 21 ports around the country, has increased to 94.5million tonnes year on year while the container trade, supported by Southampton’s new terminal, rose by 19 per cent to 1.3million in 2014 and the number of vehicles crossing the nation’s quayside has been boosted by a six percent increase to 1.6million.

“Good to Great is shaped by a number of projects that are now underway and designed to improve every aspect of our business, both behind the scenes and at the sharp end,” says Mr Cooper in the review.

“We are learning what we do well and where we can do better. And we are committed to continuously finding and delivering new ways to improve.

“Good to Great will put ABP at the forefront of innovation in the ports sector; using new processes, technology and systems that will enable us to deliver exactly what our customers demand every time, in the most flexible, efficient and sustainable way.”

ABP believes its strength as a business lies in many areas, including its unique network of ports and ability to invest in new infrastructure and facilities for customers. Over the past year the company has invested £144million in projects designed to deliver world-class facilities, which was part of an ongoing investment programme worth more than £800million.

Mr Cooper goes on to say: “Investing in new infrastructure and facilities remains a key driver of growth in our business.

“In Southampton we have invested £6million in upgrading the Mayflower Terminal in the Western Docks to improve the passenger experience and keep the city at the forefront of Europe’s cruise industry.”

During the period under review ABP has supported more than 50 apprenticeships in everything from engineering to administration and is looking to continue to increase this number.

This was underlined in April when the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, visited the port of Southampton to learn how the city’s docks is doubling the intake of marine apprentices this year.

The annual review stresses ABP’s resolve to minimise the impact of port operations and development on the environment with the introduction of solar arrays around the company’s ports, including Southampton, and other renewable energy projects to power businesses and the national grid.

ABP also says it is taking a new approach to managing the group’s property portfolio and positioning the business to take advantage of new development opportunities.

“Our strategic development land around Britain can play a key role in attracting investment that will benefit ABP and the wider economy,” said the chief executive.

“In many places we have land that can be the ideal location for the creation of new manufacturing businesses; not just in the marine energy sector but every type of manufacturing.

“Port land with excellent marine access is the perfect location for the import of raw materials and components and for the export of finished products, it is a great asset and the opportunities are immense.

“That is why we are working more closely with government than ever before to help realise these opportunities.

“We should never lose sight of the fact that, together with our customers, our ports support 84,000 jobs across Britain and contribute £5.6billion to the UK economy every year, a contribution set to rise to £7.35Billion thanks to our ongoing investment.

“That is why over the past year we have intensified our engagement with government, parliamentarians and others, to support the whole UK ports industry in making sure its voice is heard.”

In 2014 ABP led the development of the industry manifesto, “Ports for Prosperity”, setting out ways in which government can help the industry better support the economy. These include:

• Making the European Union work for ports not against them.

• Make better road and rail links to ports a priority.

• Develop a single strategy for ports.

• Create a planning system which backs investment.

• Help boost skills and safety.

“The importance of our ports in helping support jobs and economic growth further highlights their wider role in supporting the community – whether it is delivering the ABP Southampton Half Marathon for 6,000 runners and 30,000 spectators or providing free sailing lessons for schoolchildren on the Solent,” said Mr Cooper.

“Yet again, the past 12 months has shown the dedication of everyone at ABP to our business and to our customers. That dedication will help us continue to drive growth and take our business from ‘Good to Great’ in the years ahead.

“That dedication means we will continue to fulfil our mission: ‘Keep Britain Trading’.”