Turnover at the port of Poole was £10.2million in the last financial year, up by more than half a million from last year.

Presenting his annual report at the open evening, Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners said: "It's a very strong balance sheet."

Commercial turnover was up £600,000 with the majority of revenue, £3.8m coming from a 23% growth in bulk cargo, while three per cent was from ferry operations.

He said the harbour charge for leisure craft of £86.88 for an eight metre craft was "good value for money" and there was a 50 per cent reduction for short term visitors to encourage "marine tourism".

There had been an investment of £2m in re-piling the town quay and £200,000 in the Holes Bay Nature Reserve.

A reduction of 12 per cent in passengers was largely due to LD Lines withdrawing its service between the port and Spain, he said.

Brittany Ferries, which this summer saw an increase in passengers due to the problems at Calais, invested almost £10m fitting "scrubbers" to the exhaust system of the Barfleur, which sails between Poole and Cherbourg, to deal with new sulphur regulations.

"We were delighted they went ahead and made that investment," said Mr Stewart. "That gives us reassurance Brittany Ferries will remain a very important customer in Poole for many years to come."

Condor Ferries moved its fast craft service to the Channel Islands from Weymouth to Poole and introduced their new flagship, the £50m Liberation in March. "They have had some operational difficulties with the vessel," he said.
      
"Hopefully the mechanical issues they have had with Liberation are now behind them."

Bulk imports of such things as steel, bricks and timber and exports of Purbeck clay to Spain and Portugal were doing well. "I am pleased to see that these quantities have gone up over the last 12 months or so," he added.

source: Bournemouth Echo