Regions for Port and Maritime Consultancy ~ North East & East

Management Recruitment, Port of Sunderland
We prepared job and person descriptions for several key members of the management / governance team, and assisted with selection of the new Port Director. (2009/10)

Port Masterplan, Port of Sunderland

In support of the re-energised Port of Sunderland, and with a view to Department for Transport guidelines on Port Masterplanning, Sunderland City Council appointed us to prepare a port masterplan, building on the market studies and physical assessment previously undertaken by us. (2009)

It was prepared in overall accordance with the Department for Transport's "Guidance on the preparation of port master plans" and covered:

• An analysis and forecast of cargoes handled by North-East ports, and an estimate of cargoes that could be attracted to the Port of Sunderland in the form of various scenarios.
• A description of the existing infrastructure, with cost estimates for necessary repairs.
• Locations for handling new cargoes and a description of what new infrastructure will be required.
• A review of what would be required by a contractor involved in the construction of wind farms.
• A review of inland access provisions and environmental issues.   
• Drawings showing how the port can develop in the short term and longer term - these provide the flexible framework for the development of the port.

Business Improvement Plan, Port of Sunderland, England

Following our previous commission, Sunderland City Council retained us to prepare scenarios for how the Port could be organised, managed, and traded into a position of financial self-sufficiency. This included a clear analysis of the cost structure of the activities of the port, and a thorough assessment of the markets and cargoes that the Port might win. The objective was to identify how it could transition to a fully sustainable port business. (2009)

The key aspects of the plan were:

• Clear analysis of the cost / revenue / profitability structure of the port business to establish exactly where it is now.
• Market review of the Port of Sunderland's competitive position, and identification of cargo in the regional market and key opportunities for growth.
• Identifying any outstanding essential requirements for maintenance, and potential ideas for physical development.
• Preparation of a new governance and organisation structure.
• Identification of measures to achieve financial improvement and financial analysis to illustrate how the Port may achieve its goal of financial self-sustainability.

Tariff Study, Harwich Haven Authority, UK

Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) provides conservancy and pilotage services for one of  the UK's key strategic harbours covering 150 square miles.  HHA provides services for shipping using the commercial ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich, Harwich International, Harwich Navyard and Mistley and also boarding and landing services for the rivers Thames, Medway, Blackwater, Colne and Crouch.

HHA levies Harbour Dues under the Harbours Act 1964, and it commissioned Fisher Associates to undertake an assessment of the tariff to ensure that it was fit for purpose for the future.

The objective of the assessment was to review the level and structure of tariffs for dues from commercial, regulatory and other perspectives as appropriate, and make recommendations for HHA's consideration. The key tasks to be undertaken were: (2009)

• Collect relevant information and data, and engage representative stakeholders in consultation on the review based on an agreed structure and objectives for the consultation.
• Make a review of conservancy tariffs for other ports, and compare and contrast approaches to conservancy and identify best practice.
• Assess the services provided by HHA in terms of their scope and depth, and the approach to their delivery.
• Prepare a financial analysis of conservancy services.
• Investigate the level and structure of tariffs.
• Elucidate key findings and draw conclusions as appropriate.

Governance Options Review, Port of Sunderland

Sunderland City Council commissioned Fisher Associates to undertake a fresh review of the Port following a protracted period of unresolved negotiations with a potential private sector partner, and in the light of the Municipal Ports Review (MPR). (2009)

The review assessed six fundamental options for the governance of the Port:

1. Do nothing
2. Municipal Ports Best Practice
3. Incorporation
4. Trust Port
5. Concession
6. Sale

To assess the appropriateness of each option, we developed a number of criteria against which these were evaluated. The criteria were:

• Maximise the port's potential contribution to regeneration and employment
• Identify and implement financial improvement
• Respond better to the market place
• Make independent decisions
• The ability to make a difference in the near term (within 12 months)
• Minimise the cost of and risk to implementation

The Review concluded that the best course of action for the short term was to implement Municipal Ports best practice.

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