News from Newlyn Harbour

Battening down the hatches against the excessive storms of recent weeks, publishing Newlyn Harbour’s Schedule of Charges for 2026 and planning for its next phase of development were among the key talking points at the January meeting of the Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners (NP&HC).

“Although we have experienced issues as a result of the stormy weather and have been doing a lot of hunkering down, we have been relatively fortunate given the direction of the winds, and the Harbour has suffered minimal damage,” explained Harbour Master and CEO, Jonathan Poynter.

“The new Schedule of Charges, which comes into effect on 1 April 2026, has now been published on our website to provide harbour users with as much notice as possible. Whilst we fully recognise that businesses are facing significant economic challenges, this is the first time that the Commissioners have increased rates since 2022, and they have strived to balance fairness with the future development needs and continuous renewal of the Newlyn Harbour Estate.”

NP&HC continue to seek other sources of funding to support Cornwall’s fishing fleet.

“We are running an Expressions of Interest campaign until the end of February, relating to the design and build of a new pontoon facility on the North Pier,” said Chair of Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners, Paul Durkin. “This aligns with our strategy to attract more vessels to the Port, by size and volume, and is our first step towards bidding for the Government’s new Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund.”

The aim of this fund is to enable fishing businesses and coastal communities to benefit from £360m of investment, targeted where it is needed most in the UK.

“We aim to submit our bid the moment the application process for this funding stream is announced because this planned infrastructural development at Newlyn Harbour is entirely dependent on grant support,” added Paul Durkin. “Whilst grant funding is by no means guaranteed, it is imperative that NP&HC continue to seek solutions that deliver for our users and underpin the long-term future of the Port.”

The Newlyn Marine Skills & Resource Centre that will provide a much-needed centre of excellence for developing maritime expertise in Cornwall is on schedule to be completed in March for tenant fit-out by June.

“The scaffolding has already been removed from the new building, which is now visible from The Strand in all its splendour,” said Jonathan Poynter. “We are looking forward to planning a commemorative occasion to mark the facility’s official opening later on in the year, and to establishing a centre of training excellence for local people that will improve the safety of our fishing and wider maritime community.”

Stone will be leaving Newlyn once again through a cargo operation that will be carrying aggregates and other materials from the South Pier, in conjunction with TMS Maritime, which provides specialised freight services to the Isles of Scilly, including heavy lift operations for major construction projects.

In terms of operational upgrades at Newlyn Harbour, a temporary fuel tank is going to be installed at the end of Mary Williams Pier to provide better access and amenity for larger vessels. This is being implemented in partnership with fishing company, Waterdance, who own the fuel tank that is currently stored in Sandy Cove, and heating oil and fuel specialists, Heltor, who will establish this new facility in February.

“Whilst this fuel tank is not a perfect solution, we have found a way to facilitate what we have been asked to provide by our customers in the short term,” commented Jonathan Poynter. “We are always trying to improve Newlyn Harbour for its users and will monitor usage and gather feedback to inform our future decision-making.

“A further batch of wooden fenders has arrived to replace those lost to gribble –

the small marine isopod crustacean that bores into submerged wooden structures –

and general damage, as part of our ongoing maintenance programme. This delivery brings our stockpile up and we will be preparing and bringing these fenders into service where needed as soon as possible.”

The restoration of the Old Quay, which aims to revitalise the historic heart of Newlyn with renewed moorings and facilities for heritage and other vessels continues apace, with surface work on the main access way well underway and utility and lighting posts set.

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

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