A Gateway Economy

The Solent is a gateway economy of international significance, providing connectivity to global markets, for the wider UK economy.  Our strategic accessibility is, therefore, of paramount importance...

We have three international gateways: the Port of Southampton, the Port of Portsmouth (Commercial and Naval Dockyard) and Southampton International Airport. We are strategically positioned just 120km to the south west of London with excellent transport links by road, rail, air and sea.

At just 20 nautical miles from the international shipping lanes of the English Channel, the Port of Southampton presents a sheltered haven with unique double tides which allow the world’s largest ships easy access. The Port is the nearest deep-water port to the key Shanghai to Rotterdam shipping highway.  The mass market of mainland Europe is less than 100 nautical miles from Southampton and the UK’s motorway network is in close proximity and it has direct links to the national rail network.