Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator, has unveiled plans to invest £15 million in unlocking more than 40 acres of new industrial open storage land across its ports in Cardiff and Newport.

The investment is designed to meet growing demand for high-quality, flexible logistics and storage space in South Wales, and marks the beginning of ABP’s nationwide strategy to become the leading provider of open storage solutions across its 21 ports.

As one of the only UK landlords actively developing bespoke open storage platforms, ABP aims to offer occupiers secure, serviced, and ready-to-use sites located in strategic port locations with direct multimodal connectivity.

Helen Thomas, ABP’s Head of Property, commented:

“ABP is more than a port operator, we’re a strategic landowner and commercial landlord with over 2,000 acres of land in Wales, the second largest landowner in Wales and offering unmatched access to South Wales’ industrial heartlands and the M4 corridor.

“We’re proud to be leading the way in open storage. Few other landlords have the capability to invest at this scale and offer their tenants the flexibility we can. This £15 million investment programme is about unlocking potential, for our customers, for South Wales, and for the UK supply chain.”

Four sites are included in the initial phase of the development programme, with the first expected to be available in the first quarter of 2026. These will include:

• Queens Road South and Longships Road at the Port of Cardiff

• Atlantic Terminal and West Way Road at the Port of Newport

The sites are ideally positioned for industries such as steel, renewables, aggregates, and logistics, offering direct access to ABP’s port infrastructure, as well as excellent road and rail links.

Helen Thomas, added:

“Our sites are in high demand, and that tells us that the market is hungry for quality, well-connected space.

“This investment marks a significant milestone in ABP’s commitment to supporting South Wales’ industrial and logistics sectors.”

Occupiers will benefit from 24/7 on-site security and multimodal transport options via road, rail, and sea. ABP’s South Wales ports are also equipped with advanced cargo-handling facilities and a skilled stevedoring workforce, ensuring efficient operations for bulk and break-bulk customers.

Jeff Gibb, Lead Property Asset Manager at ABP also highlighted ABP’s collaborative landlord approach: “We take pride in working closely with occupiers to flex and expand their space as business needs evolve.

“Over the past 12 months, ABP has helped several tenants relocate, consolidate, and grow within our Welsh portfolio.”

Kate Openshaw, Associate – Industrial and Logistics at JLL, said:

“ABP’s investment represents a significant opportunity for the South Wales industrial and logistics market.

“We’re seeing strong demand for open storage across the UK – it’s emerging as a distinct asset class due to constrained supply and growing occupier requirements for surfaced, secure and accessible open storage land close to major road networks with rail and port access.

“ABP’s investment in South Wales sets a new benchmark for the sector, offering occupiers a rare combination of scale, readiness, and strategic location with multimodal connectivity.”

Each year, ABP welcomes more than 100 new tenants across its UK portfolio, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s most significant commercial landlords and property operators.