A bilateral agreement formalising trade links has been signed by the respective chambers of commerce in Hampshire and the southern Spanish port city of Almería.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recognises a common interest in promoting commercial ties and developing new trade growth.
It was signed in Southampton as business leaders and politicians from Hampshire and Almería celebrated the launch of a new all-year-round maritime trade route.
The cargo service from the shipping firm Southampton Fruit Handling offers an alternative to road transport for Andalucían exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables and is expected to provide employment for up to 60 stevedores at Southampton’s Western Docks.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Jimmy Chestnutt, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive, congratulated Southampton Fruit Handling, ABP and Almería Port on creating “a vital trading link which safeguards employment in both Southampton and Almería while keeping carbon emissions down.”
He also emphasised the strong and long-standing relationships between the chambers and their respective ports in both Southampton and Almería.
Captain Chestnutt added: “Our new Memorandum of Understanding with our chamber partners in Almería will help reinforce the economic credentials of both cities as places in which to do business. By signing, we agree to work together to promote training, trade support and new trade growth not just in fruit but in other sectors too. We have excellent contacts with chamber networks all over the world but this agreement takes our links to a different level.”
Signing on behalf of Almería Chamber, President Diego Martinez Cano said: “Almería is the main point of reference for Spanish chambers in their contacts with North Africa and South America and so we also have the opportunity to open new markets in these regions for companies in Hampshire.”
Trinidad Cabao Rodriguez, President of Almería Port, and Jose Manuel Ortiz, Agriculture Minister in the Andalucían Government, were also at the signing.
Mr Ortiz said the production of fresh produce from Almería generated €2,500m a year for the regional economy. He added that 70 per cent of the output, around three million tons, is for export with Germany, France and the UK being the main export markets.
Margaret Jenkinson, Managing Director of Southampton Fruit Handling, said: “Our alternative maritime solution will enable Spanish exporters to reach the UK’s wholesale and retail markets directly by sea through the port of Southampton. The service will help to decrease road traffic on the European mainland and its associated carbon emissions and cost.”
