A 20 year masterplan setting out the future of Newport Docks have been unveiled in a public exhibition.

The plans, which include a new quayside, additional warehousing, energy generation schemes and new rail links, have given businesses on the docks a “confidence for the future” during uncertain times, according to one shipping company director.

On Friday, Associated British Ports (ABP) hosted a drop-in exhibition at the Mission to Seafarers venue as part of its consultation on the plans.

Business owners, staff and politicians were invited to the event, which outlined plans up until 2035.

Charles William Dowds, director of WE Dowds Shipping Ltd said: “We have been working in the dock since 1989 and our company started trading in the dock back in 1960.

“We’re a Newport company through and through.This is the first time you can think in the very long term we can see the growth of the business on the back of these new plans with new warehousing and better rail access.

“I would like to thank ABP for everything and for giving us confidence for the future as times at the moment are a little bit uncertain.”

Between 2013 and 2015, ABP invested more than £19 million into the Port of Newport which is the leading general cargo port in Wales and one of the biggest steel ports in the UK.

It handles 1.85 million tonnes of general cargo per year, supports 3,000 local jobs and contributes £86 million to the Welsh economy.

Matthew Kennerley Regional Director for South Wales Ports ABP said: “There’s an incredible history in Newport including the manufacturing bases that were created here and particularly around the steel sector.

“Again the Port of Newport is intrinsically linked to that.

“We welcome and encourage people to give us their views and tell us what they think about our master plan and Newport docks moving forward.”

To view the plan, visit www.southwalesports.co.uk/consultation.