Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP has welcomed the decision by UK and Welsh Governments that the Celtic Freeport bid has been successful, and it has been secured as a Welsh Freeport, the first of its kind for Wales.

The good news was announced last night.

“The Celtic Freeport bid is a public-private consortium including Associated British Ports (ABP), Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven.  With development sites throughout Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire, the Celtic Freeport will generate up to 16,000 new green jobs and drive £5.5 billion of investment,” said the Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire.

“The vision for the bid is to be the potential cornerstone of a new green ecosystem focused on floating offshore wind, the hydrogen economy and sustainable fuels.

“As you know, I along with other parliamentarians including Stephen Kinnock MP and Sam Kurtz MS have spear-headed the campaign for this game-changing status for Pembrokeshire and West Wales. 

“There is no question, this is a milestone moment for Milford Haven and the whole Pembrokeshire economy. A lot of hard work has gone into this project, and I am delighted to have been part of the team to get it over the line.  The economic and industrial vision behind the Celtic Freeport is exciting and achievable and I’m thrilled that the case we made to UK and Welsh Governments has been successful.

“The announcement [last night] shows the world that Wales is serious about floating offshore wind and puts us on a firm footing to capture as much local economic benefit as possible. Securing Freeport status will send a powerful signal to developers, unlocking new investment in high quality jobs and training opportunities. It’s a green light for billions of pounds of “game changing” investment, the creation of thousands of jobs and a lasting skills legacy for generations to come.

“It shows what can be achieved for our community in West Wales when both governments align on important ambitions like meeting UK Net Zero targets and when there is cross-party support for the launch of a new green renewable energy industry  - which has Milford Haven at its heart.

“But this is just the beginning. There is a lot more hard work to come if we are going to capture all the opportunities the Freeport has to offer. And I will be doing all I can to help deliver this vision and ambition for Pembrokeshire.

“Following the successful decision, over the coming year the business case will be worked up, governance arrangements established, skills and innovation delivery mechanisms created and site preparations progressed.”