A brief history of the Port
In 2023, the Port of Milford Haven celebrates 65 years of operations. Key timeline events include:
2022 - Milford Waterfront's Tŷ Hotel opens
2021 - Work commences on the development of Pembroke Port as part of Pembroke Dock Marine; Milford Haven Energy Kingdom delivers two hydrogen initiatives
2020 - Pembroke Dock Marine gains £60m Swansea Bay City Deal approval
2018 - New Floatel Cabins arrive at Milford Marina
2017 - Havens Head Retail Park acquired
2016 - Marine simulator suite opened
2015 - New lock gates installed
2014 - Liddeston Ridge solar array is completed
2012 - RWE Pembroke Power Station begins generating
2009 - 'Tembek' is the first Liquefied Natural Gas carrier to enter the Port
2008 - Pembroke Port Gate 4 was acquired
2004 - A candidate site since 1997, the Milford Haven Waterway becomes an official Special Area of Conservation (Pembrokeshire Marine SAC)
1998 - Pembroke Port Gate 1 was acquired and expands cargo handling capacity
1996 - Oil tanker 'Sea Empress' runs aground at the entrance to the Haven. This tragedy was a watershed moment for the shipping and port industries resulting in UK-wide changes to port operations and an international impact on the way these vessels are designed
1992 - Irish Ferries starts running the Pembroke to Rosslare service
1991 - Milford Marina opens
1979 - The B&I Line's MV Connacht arrived at the Port's new £8m terminal on her inaugural sail from Cork on 23rd May
1977 - Land acquired for Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal
1974 - 59m tonnes of cargo passes through the Port making it Britain's largest port in terms of tonnage
1973 - Amoco Refinery comes on-stream
1969 - The Port receives the Esso Scotia, the first 250,000-ton vessel ever to call at a British port
1968 - Gulf Refinery comes on-stream
1965 - First 100,000-ton vessel, the British Admiral, arrives at the Port on her maiden voyage
1964 - Texaco (Pembroke) Refinery comes on-stream
1962 - Annual tonnage entering Milford Haven passes 10m
1960 - Esso Refinery was opened by HRH Duke of Edinburgh
1958 - Milford Haven Conservancy Board was created by an Act of Parliament on the 30th April
Even before the Conservancy Board was created, the Milford Haven Waterway had a long association with the provision of port services and was well known for its fishing and military histories.
Milford Fish Docks is the largest fishing docks in Wales.
It celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2018.
Looking even further back, Milford Waterfront commemorates wider Waterway events and milestones.
This includes Viking invasions, Tudor monarchs and floating planes.
Largest Welsh Port Appoints Communications and Marketing Director
Port of Milford Haven renews partnership with Milford Youth Matters
Milford Waterfront Major Events Partnership with Milford Haven Round Table
Celtic Freeport takes shape with new CEO, business case and revamped digital presence
Milford Waterfront brings free Easter Excitement to families in Pembrokeshire
Welsh Government kickstarts Pembroke Port floating wind ambitions with £1m fund
Ground Investigations at Pembroke Port commence
Port of Milford Haven welcomes three new Non-Executive Directors
Celebration event marks 65 years of progress at Wales’ largest port
