The Port of Newport, owned and operated by Associated British Ports, has celebrated the renewal of its lease and commercial agreement with building materials company Cemex.

The lease and commercial agreement cover a 2.9 acre site comprising land and buildings at Newport’s South Dock for six years. Cemex operates a silo storage facility for cement and construction materials at the site.

David Hart, supply chain director – UK & France, Cemex, said: “We are very pleased to have renewed our lease with ABP. Our cement terminal at the Port of Newport is an important part of our UK supply chain, receiving key raw materials for producing concrete. It is ideally located to allow us to safely and efficiently serve our customers with the products they need, which are then used to support our essential construction industry.”

As Wales’ leading general cargo port, the Port of Newport supports 4,100 jobs nationally and annually contributes around £275 million to the economy. Every year the port handles some £1 billion of trade, a vital part of the supply chain for businesses across Britain.

Simon Brown, ABP divisional port manager for Wales and South West, said: "Cemex has been a long-standing customer of ABP and we’re delighted that this new arrangement will allow our partnership in Newport to continue. Each year, we see more than 40,000 tonnes of Cemex products pass through the port in support of the UK construction industry with volumes likely to increase in future.”

With excellent links to the nearby M4 and direct rail connections, the port occupies a prime location to service the UK's main industrial and commercial regions.