Swansea, Crown Copyright
A ship dismantling and recycling company has inquired about setting up at Swansea's dry docks and has been talking to Associated British Ports (ABP) as well as Swansea Council and Environment Agency Wales.
It's very early days and very few details are available. However, ABP, who own the city's port, has confirmed it has received an inquiry from a large metals recovery company for the recycling of ships at Swansea dry dock.
Matthew Kennerley, ABP South Wales ports director said: "The company making the inquiry is currently in discussions with the local planning authority and other regulatory agencies about its proposed operation, and further information will be made available once this process is complete."
He added that APB was keen to see an expansion of business activity at the city's 
port. "Discussions are ongoing with a number of companies across a range of existing and new business sectors," he said.
"These include renewable energy generation and fuel supply, steel imports, and exports to and from local manufacturing operations, forest products such as pulp for local tissue paper producers, project cargoes such as wind turbines and generator units, as well as many other general bulk cargoes."
Saga Group's cruise liner Saga Pearl II is currently undergoing a £20million transformation at Swansea's dry docks, and Mr Kennerley hoped that the return of the Swansea to Cork ferry, scheduled to resume sailing on 1 March, would also mark a new phase of development. A new high speed service linking Swansea and Devon is also due to start in the coming months.
A spokeswoman for Environment Agency Wales said: "We are aware of a proposal for the dismantling of ships in Swansea docks. Such a proposal is likely to require an environmental permit. As yet we haven't received an application for such a permit."
Council leader Chris Holley said discussions had taken place, adding that a company looking to carry out this kind of work would need approval from the planning authority. He added: "I want to emphasise we have a very good working relationship with APB and its contractors."
South Wales Evening Post - 14 January 2010
