Hutchison Ports UK Showcases Future of Trade

The Port of Felixstowe was delighted to welcome Jo Shanmugalingam, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport and colleagues on Thursday 2 July.

Posted on: July 9th 2026    •    Posted in: Uncategorised

The Port of Felixstowe was delighted to welcome Jo Shanmugalingam, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport and colleagues on Thursday 2 July.

Hosted by Robert Ashton, Chief Operating Officer, the visit provided an opportunity to showcase the scale, innovation and strategic importance of the UK’s largest container port. The delegation received an overview of port operations, future ambitions and the significant private investment being made in infrastructure, technology, connectivity and skills to support UK trade and economic growth.

Discussions focused on the vital role ports play in supporting national resilience, productivity and growth, and the importance of ensuring that investment in transport, energy and digital infrastructure keeps pace with the evolving needs of the UK’s major trade gateways. The visit also explored the opportunities and challenges associated with decarbonisation, future energy requirements and the transition to a more sustainable logistics sector.

As part of the visit, the delegation saw first-hand how the Port of Felixstowe is deploying autonomous trucks and other advanced technologies within a live operational environment, demonstrating how innovation can improve productivity, operational efficiency and resilience across the supply chain.

The visit highlighted how modern ports are evolving beyond traditional freight operations, creating opportunities in engineering, digital technologies, automation and the energy transition, while continuing to support communities, businesses and consumers across the UK.

It was a valuable opportunity to discuss the long-term partnership required between industry and Government to ensure the UK’s trading infrastructure remains efficient, resilient and ready to support future economic growth. The discussions reinforced the importance of ports as national assets that underpin trade, connectivity, innovation and the transition to a lower-carbon economy.