Foreword by the Managing Director

2007 was another very busy and successful year for ABPmer with sustained growth and achievement of key business targets.

New capital projects were taken forward across several ABP ports with ABPmer leading on major Environmental Impact Assessment studies at Southampton and Grimsby. 

In addition, we configured the Marine Safety and Management System for ABP's Marine Advisor to assist managing marine safety issues across ABP ports and to demonstrate compliance with legal duties outlined with the Port Marine Safety Code.  The tool facilitates auditable decision making process for the control of marine risk.

We have continued to apply our leading expertise in morphological and ecological prediction to the development of major flood and coastal defence strategies in both the Severn and the Thames.

ABPmer also supported further studies on the Severn Estuary, this time to consider issues related to potential barrage options.  Our work was taken forward by the Sustainability Development Commission to inform their publication "Turning the Tide - Tidal Power in the UK".

Contributions to other energy related projects have continued to expand with additional services to offshore wind and tidal stream projects and a supporting role to British Energy to look at the proposed sites for new build nuclear power stations.

Our involvement at Wallasea also continued with a major 700ha realignment project for RSPB on a site immediately adjacent to the successful DEFRA compensation site.  This study substantiates ABPmer's leading position in managed realignment projects which has been captured in a new web-based knowledge management tool referred to as "The Online Managed Realignment Guide" (OMReG), http://www.abpmer.net/omreg.

The company's expertise in applied marine research continues to be recognised through high profile commissions from central government and its agencies. Such recognition further strengthens our credibility amongst primary regulatory bodies.

Finally, from 2008 onwards ABPmer will be operating a carbon offsetting scheme for business related energy consumption, a scheme which is administered by Climate Care.

Bill Cooper
Managing Director

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