Harwich International Port looks set to benefit from a Government vision about the future of UK ports.

In the first Government statement about ports in 20 years, four objectives were due to be outlined in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon (Monday).

They aim to make ports across the country economically and environmentally sustainable.

The Government also hoped to support substantial port projects if there was a clear need for them.

And it plans to promote the use of freight facility grants, which are given to port workers in a bid to take freight off the roads and on to railways and short-sea shipping.

Other initiatives include:

Cutting down on unnecessary regulations

Promoting national standards in ports

Highlighting training and the recognition of skills in all port workers

Making best use of former port land to secure high environmental standards.

A spokesman for the Central Office of Information said yesterday (Monday): "This is good news for ports all around the country. The Government wants to integrate them more into the transport system and connect them with sea travel, road travel and rail travel.

"After all, 95 per cent of our nation's goods are bought in through ports."

Details of the plans are released today in a Government White Paper entitled Modern Ports.

There are more than 650 ports in the UK for which statutory harbour authority powers have been granted.

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