Somerset Masters in the Docks

Members of Somerset Masters’ Lodge and their partners were recently given the rare privilege of a guided coach tour around The Bristol Port Company – “Bristol’s Global Gateway”.

Across two sites spanning the mouth of the River Avon, the port provides Deep-water Access for Shipping, Liquid & Dry Bulk Transportation, Storage and Warehousing, but most noticeably to the general public passing by on the M5 motorway, they handle very many vehicles!

The import and export of motor vehicles is one of the most important trades of the Port. There are now over 538 acres of car compounds including 217 acres of common user storage. Over 550,000 vehicles per annum are handled by a permanently employed, highly trained work force. The objective of damage-free operations is achieved by continuous improvement and constant quality review in partnership with manufacturers. Bristol’s central location results in the most cost-effective inland distribution in the UK. 

Pictures taken through the window of the tour bus: