HHA Welcomes the Department for Transport and Maritime Minister

20 November 2025

From L-R: Will Barker, Keir Mather, Sarah West and Jake Storey

Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) has been ramping up its efforts in Government engagement this month, with visits to the Haven from both the new Minister for Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation, Keir Mather MP, and also the Department for Transport’s Maritime Director, Lola Fadani and her team.

Both visits have been delivered in collaboration with the Port of Felixstowe and have involved port-side tours as well as getting afloat to explore the harbour, Harwich International and Bathside Bay.

From L-R: Dave Whyte, Lola Fadina, Sarah Pickersgill and Jake Storey

Helen Rudd, Strategy and Partnerships Director at HHA said,

“It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the effective working relationship we enjoy with the Port of Felixstowe and Harwich International Port, demonstrating how we connect as one team to make the Haven the UK’s number one trade gateway. 

Alongside the team from HPUK, we are working hard to lobby Government and influence national decisions to affect the things that really matter to Haven users.” 

Presentations to the delegates from the DfT covered investment opportunities, safety, grid connectivity, environmental impact, and future investment.

With the Minister, HHA also covered the many benefits of the trust port model, cable laying in the Sunk area, and the investment needed to both safeguard future maritime skills and road and rail connectivity in our region.

The visitors also got to see in person how HHA’s £130 million self-funded channel deepening project is already delivering real value to the area by enabling the world’s largest, deepest-draft vessels to call safely at the Port of Felixstowe and keeping UK trade flowing.

Helen added,

“At Harwich Haven Authority, we’re proud to be Leading with Expertise through our skills, knowledge and innovative approach to doing things the right way – and doing things well. We’re inspiring growth, driving continuous improvement, and making commercially sound decisions that benefit our teams, customers and stakeholders.”