News from Newlyn Harbour

A strategic step towards the long-term development of Sandy Cove and a planned programme of specific infrastructure projects to further enhance Newlyn Harbour for the future fishing industry are the headlines from recent meetings of the Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC).

The Harbour Commissioners have signed a Letter of Intent with Tower Group, the purpose of which is to progress their planned Sandy Cove development project to a point at which significant funds can be leveraged to enable it to be realised.

Tower Group not only supports net zero projects by delivering the infrastructure required for the energy transition, such as offshore wind turbines, renewable energy storage solutions and the innovative use of green hydrogen and low-carbon fuels, but also unlocks the required level of investment to bring such projects to life.

“With well-established roots in the South West and a thorough understanding of the economic challenges and opportunities for Newlyn and for Cornwall, Tower Group is uniquely placed to drive forward the Harbour Commissioners’ ambitious plans for Sandy Cove,” said Newlyn Harbour Master & CEO, Jonathan Poynter.

“This Letter of Intent is a prelude to forming a Joint Venture or Special Purpose Vehicle to develop the Sandy Cove project so that we can expand the Harbour for the future fishing industry, provide more space for larger, modern fishing boats as well as storage on an industrial scale, and then diversify and improve the Port for a broader range of operations.”

“With the Tower Group team’s expertise in securing investment, developing real estate and strategic, long-term thinking, alongside the company’s network of contacts in the defence and renewables sectors, we are delighted to partner with Newlyn Harbour for this process of renewal,” added CEO of Tower Group, Alex King. “We were impressed by the Harbour Commissioners’ bold ideas when their plans for Sandy Cove were presented at the UKREiiF conference – a forum that unlocks investment and drives regeneration across the UK to accelerate economic growth – and we are now in lockstep to deliver this for Newlyn, for Cornwall and for the UK’s strategic energy ambitions.”

This partnership will also allow NP&HC to focus on its planned programme of specific infrastructure projects to improve the Newlyn Estate for existing harbour users. These plans include modernising the existing private water supply, enhancing fuelling capabilities, increasing pedestrian safety and improving maintenance facilities for the inshore fleet during the next two to three years.

The construction of the Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre on The Strand continues apace and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2026. The building is out of the ground and almost weather-tight, with stonework almost completed on the first floor.

Following a competitive tender process, Seafood Cornwall Training has been awarded the contract to provide training at this much-needed centre of excellence for developing maritime expertise in Cornwall.

“Seafood Cornwall Training offers a huge range of qualifications and courses for new fishermen as well as experienced seafarers, and delivers training to hundreds of commercial crew and employees in the maritime industry, from mandatory safety to professional development,” said Training Manager, Clare Leverton. “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to do so in this dedicated new facility at the heart of Newlyn and are already planning to receive the first cohort of students next year.”

Following the news that Historic England has awarded the Newlyn Old Harbour restoration project a grant of £119,301 from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, the challenge of repairing and re-setting the stonework at the Grade II* listed medieval harbour has begun.

The re-stapling of capping stones and the re-positioning of quoins on the edge of the Old Quay has already been carried out and the next phase of work is currently out to tender, which involves the laying of new stone sets (re-purposing granite from Liverpool Docks) and re-pointing the Old Quay parapet using lime mortar in line with Historic England’s guidance.

“The Harbour Commissioners are also preparing schemes for future grant funding for two medium-term capital projects to extend capacity at Newlyn Harbour through the substantial modification of the existing pontoon facility and the addition of further pontoons elsewhere in the Harbour, providing improved berthing and level access, and perhaps, some dredging,” added NP&HC Chairman, Paul Durkin.

The Harbour Master and CEO has represented Newlyn at the British Ports Association Conference on the banks of the River Humber and the BPA’s Fishing Ports Group meeting in Fraserburgh in Scotland this month.

“Participation in such events is critical to maintaining the profile of NP&HC amongst our peers and regulators,” said Jonathan Poynter. “Both occasions provided useful insight and understanding of the issues affecting the wider ports industry, as well as meaningful connections with individuals who represent the industry at regional and national levels, and the agencies and ministries we interact with.”

With the Mediterranean octopus bloom continuing and plenty of Bluefin tuna still being landed at Newlyn Fish Market to amplify the usual catch of superlative Cornish fish, the sardine season is also now in full flow.

NP&HC Board meetings take place on the first Friday of alternate months.

For further information about Newlyn Harbour, please visit newlynharbour.com