What Solent Freeport does

Solent Freeport is a UK government-designated Freeport and non-profit economic development entity, established in December 2022 as one of 12 Freeports nationally. It is operated by Solent Freeport Consortium Ltd with Portsmouth City Council serving as the Accountable Body. Headquartered in Portsmouth, the organisation manages a portfolio of six tax sites (Navigator Quarter, Dunsbury Park, Fawley Waterside, ExxonMobil Southampton Water, Solent Gateway, ABP Redbridge) and two customs sites (Portsmouth International Port and Solent Gateway), spanning the Portsmouth-Southampton corridor on England's south coast. Its core purpose is to attract private investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth by offering eligible businesses a package of government-backed tax incentives (100% first-year capital allowances, five-year business rates relief, 0% employer NICs up to £25,000, Stamp Duty Land Tax relief) and simplified customs procedures (duty exemption, duty suspension, duty inversion) within these designated zones.

The organisation's core offerings are: (1) designated tax sites providing government-backed fiscal incentives; (2) customs sites enabling simplified import/export procedures; (3) a £25 million government-funded Seed Capital Programme deploying capital into enabling infrastructure across sites; and (4) business support services covering decarbonisation, innovation, trade, and skills development. It coordinates with a network of public and private partners including Associated British Ports, ExxonMobil, Vestas, Maritime Solent, Society of Maritime Industries, Space South Central, and three regional universities. Notable delivered outcomes include nearly £640m of investment across tax sites, an £850m future pipeline, 4,750+ planned direct jobs, and over £30m in private match funding secured to date.

Solent Freeport does not generate commercial revenue in the traditional sense. Its capital base is the £25m Seed Capital grant from the UK Government, with retained business rates accruing from 2028/9 onwards after covering operating costs. It functions as a coordination and catalysation layer — deploying public capital to unlock private investment rather than selling products or services. The core delivery team comprises approximately 7 staff, governed by a 16-member board representing local authorities, port operators, airport operators, and independent non-executive directors (including former KPMG Senior Partner, EY Partner, and BAE Systems Maritime Business Development Director leadership).

Name

Solent Freeport

Legal name

Solent Freeport Consortium Ltd

Website

https://www.solentfreeport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Port and Harbor Operations (488310), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Dues, Permitting & Regulatory Clearances (TLAHAFAD), Incentives, Grants & Program Administration (Auctions, Tenders, IRA/ITC/PTC Advisory) (EUAMAAAJ)

Keywords

• Freeport economic development
• Tax incentive sites
• Customs zone operations
• Seed capital funding
• Business support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Portsmouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Seed Capital Funding: Solent Freeport receives government seed capital funding to support infrastructure development across its tax and customs sites. The funding is used for transport improvements, port operations, industrial development, energy provision, and logistics facilities. Total seed capital programme amounts to £25 million from government.
2. Retained Business Rates: Solent Freeport will receive significant sums of retained business rates from 2028/9 onwards, providing funding for future delivery capabilities and investment opportunities across the Solent region. After covering operating costs, any surplus can be used towards borrowing for additional capital investment.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Solent Freeport manages a portfolio of designated UK Freeport tax sites, customs sites, and wider Solent sites to attract investment, create jobs, and support business growth across the Portsmouth and Southampton region. It channels a £25 million government Seed Capital Programme into infrastructure projects and delivers business support services covering decarbonisation, innovation, trade, and skills. The organisation offers government-backed tax incentives (enhanced capital allowances, business rates relief, NICs relief, Stamp Duty Land Tax relief) and customs benefits (simplified procedures, duty exemptions/suspension) to eligible businesses operating within its designated sites.

Product overview

Solent Freeport is an economic development organization designated by the UK Government in December 2022 as one of 12 UK Freeports. Rather than a single unified product, it operates as a portfolio of interconnected economic enablers: tax sites (Navigator Quarter, Dunsbury Park, Fawley Waterside, ExxonMobil, Solent Gateway, and ABP Redbridge) offering government-backed tax incentives; customs sites (Portsmouth International Port and Solent Gateway) enabling simplified trade procedures; a £25 million Seed Capital Programme funding infrastructure; and business support services covering decarbonisation, innovation, trade, and skills development. The organization functions as a coordination layer connecting businesses with development sites, incentives, funding programmes, and partner support services across the Solent region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Navigator Quarter Tax Site A 100-acre tax site adjacent to Southampton International Airport offering state-of-the-art research, manufacturing, and industrial facilities, comprising three areas: Railside (19.6 hectares with railhead logistics hub), Riverside (6.6 hectares light industrial), and Skyside (19 hectares Science Park extension). It is for businesses in research, manufacturing, and industrial sectors seeking Freeport tax incentives.
• Dunsbury Park Tax Site A 100-acre prime industrial and manufacturing business park adjacent to the A3(M), eight miles north of Portsmouth city centre. Features over 43 hectares ready for development with planning permission for 665,000 sq ft of manufacturing, industrial, distribution and office space. It is for manufacturers, logistics operators, and businesses seeking Freeport tax incentives.
• Fawley Waterside Tax Site A 360,000 square metre developable waterside site on the former Fawley Power Station site, set within the New Forest National Park on 3km of coastline. Features 70 acres of clear land with initial 10 acres of commercial space allocation. It is for marine innovation, port-centric manufacturing, and clean energy businesses.
• ExxonMobil Southampton Water Tax Site The UK's largest integrated petrochemical complex at Fawley, producing energy products, lubricants and chemicals. Handles 2,000 shipping movements per year with the longest privately owned jetty in Europe at 1.5km. It is for energy, petrochemical, and decarbonisation businesses (including the Solent Cluster CO2 capture project).
• Solent Gateway Tax Site An 83-hectare port at Marchwood operated by ABP, developing 64 hectares of port-centric logistic space with RoRo and LoLo shipping capability, rail connection, and access to the national motorway network. It is for port-centric logistics, cargo operations, and shipping businesses.
• ABP Redbridge Tax Site A 12-hectare prime development site adjacent to DP World's deep-sea container terminal in Western Docks. Offers bespoke facilities up to 600,000 sq ft with access to two on-site rail freight terminals and direct rail links to the national network. It is for container logistics and freight-handling businesses.
• Portsmouth International Port Customs Site A 66-acre major UK port handling millions of customers and vital cargo. Features deep water quays, temperature-controlled warehousing, and a customs zone enabling tariff-free movement of goods through simplified customs procedures. It is for importers, exporters, and shipping operators.
• Solent Gateway Customs Site A secure enclosed customs zone where businesses can import goods with simplified customs documentation without paying tariffs. Supports duty exemption, duty suspension, and duty inversion procedures. It is for cargo operators, importers, and exporters operating at Marchwood Port.
• Seed Capital Programme A £25 million government-funded programme supporting major infrastructure projects including transport, port operations, industrial development, energy provision and logistics facilities to support long-term economic growth across the Solent region. It is for infrastructure projects at designated Freeport sites.
• Tax Incentives Package Government-backed tax reliefs including 100% first year capital allowances, five years business rates relief, 0% employer NICs on salaries up to £25,000, 10% structures and buildings allowance, and full Stamp Duty Land Tax relief. It is for eligible businesses operating within designated Freeport tax sites.
• Decarbonisation Support Programmes helping businesses reduce carbon emissions and transition to a lower-carbon economy, including Switched On Business, Carbon Neutral Britain, Carbon Trust, UK Business Climate Hub, and Net Zero Living Programme. It is for businesses in the Solent region seeking decarbonisation support.
• Innovation Support Support for business innovation through partnerships with UK Research and Innovation, University of Portsmouth Innovation Connect, Fareham Innovation Centre, and Science Park Catalyst Programme. It is for innovation-led and R&D businesses seeking research collaboration.
• Trade Support Programmes helping businesses grow through international trade, including UK Export Academy, UK Export Finance, Digital Exporting Programme, and support from Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. It is for businesses seeking to expand into international markets.
• Skills Development Programmes supporting workforce development through Skills Bootcamps, South Coast Institute of Technology, Solent Business & Skills Solutions, and partnerships with Department for Education. It is for employers and individuals seeking workforce development.

Quantifiable outcome

• £640m of investment delivered across Freeport tax sites
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• VestascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Vestas is a global leader in sustainable wind energy technology. The Port of Southampton has grown its partnership with Vestas, serving as a strategic hub for storage and export of onshore wind turbine blades manufactured at Vestas' Isle of Wight facility.
• Williams ShippingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Williams Shipping (Marine) provides specialist logistics for moving 68-metre wind turbine blades via barge from Vestas' Isle of Wight factory to Port of Southampton storage and export, showcasing Solent region's specialist logistics expertise.
• Southampton Young Adults Employment HubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 April 2026Solent Freeport granted £10,000 to support young people into employment and training. The Hub is run in partnership with Department for Work and Pensions and based at Southampton Central Library.
• Link Up Youth HubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025Solent Freeport donated £10,000 to support young people in Havant. The Hub in Leigh Park is run in partnership by Department for Work and Pensions and Havant Borough Council, offering targeted advice to 16-24 year olds.
• Maritime SolentcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025Maritime Solent is the industry-led representative body for the Solent's maritime sector. Solent Freeport partnered with Maritime Solent to assist four businesses to attend SMM Hamburg, providing a shared exhibition pod within the UK Pavilion through the Society of Maritime Industries.
• Society of Maritime Industries (SMI)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 September 2025SMI is the trade association for the UK's maritime engineering, science and technology community. Solent Freeport secured a shared exhibition pod within the UK Pavilion hosted by SMI at SMM Hamburg for maritime technology businesses.
• Portico ShippingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 June 2025Portico Shipping secured £4.8m Solent Freeport funding (matched by £2.23m loan from Portsmouth City Council) for quayside expansion to grow business operations and create job opportunities at Portsmouth International Port.
• blocwork (Joint Venture between bloc and Network Rail)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2025blocwork is a joint venture between bloc and Network Rail. As landowner of northern parcel of Navigator Quarter, blocwork has committed site to Solent Freeport tax site status to support development.
• Portsmouth City CouncilflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Portsmouth City Council serves as the Accountable Body for Solent Freeport, overseeing all financial affairs. The Council bought Lakeside North Harbour for £138m in 2019 and is the owner/operator of Portsmouth International Port. The Council's leadership (Cllr Steve Pitt) is represented on the Solent Freeport board.
• Hampshire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Hampshire County Council is represented on the Solent Freeport board by Leader Cllr Nick Adams-King. The council is responsible for Universal Services including highways spanning over 5,000 miles.
• Southampton City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Southampton City Council is represented on the Solent Freeport board by Leader Cllr Sarah Bogle. The council works in partnership with DWP to support young people into employment through the Young Adults Employment Hub.
• Associated British Ports (ABP)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022ABP operates the Port of Southampton (UK's largest vehicle export port, Europe's leading cruise turnaround port) and Solent Gateway at Marchwood Port. ABP holds 35-year lease on Solent Gateway until 2051. Regional Director Alastair Welch represents ABP on the Solent Freeport board.
• Southampton Airport / AGS Airports LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Southampton International Airport is a key partner, with Steve Thurston (Head of Planning & Development at AGS Airports Ltd) representing the airport on the Solent Freeport board. The airport serves 40 destinations and has planning consent for Navigator Quarter development.
• University of SouthamptoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022University of Southampton hosts the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI), Wolfson Unit for ship model testing, Institute of Maritime Law, and world-class research facilities. One of UK's top research universities with 33% research rated world-leading.
• University of PortsmouthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022University of Portsmouth's Centre for Enzyme Innovation delivers solutions for circular recycling of plastics. Also features South Coast Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications and Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation with NASA JPL links.
• Southampton International Airport Limited (SIAL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022SIAL is the landowner of the eastern parcel of Navigator Quarter adjacent to the airport runway. SIAL has committed site to Solent Freeport tax site status to support development of approximately 110 acres.
• ExxonMobilflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022ExxonMobil Fawley is the UK's largest integrated petrochemical complex. Leading the Solent Cluster Project aiming to capture up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year. Investing in new low-sulphur diesel facility and hydrogen plant.
• Marchwood Port / Solent GatewayflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Marchwood Port operated by Solent Gateway (ABP subsidiary) is designated as Freeport Tax Site and Customs Site. Port Director Richard Parkinson represents Solent Gateway on the Solent Freeport board.
• Solent Local Enterprise PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Solent LEP invested £4,540,000 Local Growth Deal Funds for Dunsbury Park link road infrastructure. Previously chaired by Brian Johnson before he became Solent Freeport Independent Chair.
• Fareham Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Fareham Borough Council is a partner in developing the Daedalus Solent Enterprise Zone (DSEZ). Invested in Fareham Innovation Centre with £7m including £2m grant support from Solent LEP.
• Havant Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Havant Borough Council is a partner in Solent Freeport with Cllr Netty Shepherd representing the council on the board. Council's Link Up Youth Hub received £10,000 funding from Solent Freeport.
• Space South CentralcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 December 2022Space South Central is the UK's largest regional space cluster, a partnership between regional industry and academia including over 120 innovative businesses such as BAE Systems, Earth-I and In-Space Missions, driving £3bn annual revenue and £1.6bn export revenue.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Thames Freeport: One of the other 12 UK government-designated Freeports, covering the Thames Estuary area including London Gateway (DP World), Port of Tilbury and Ford's Dagenham plant. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport operating multiple tax and customs sites with the same tax incentive framework targeting maritime, manufacturing and trade-led investment.
• Humber Freeport: One of the 12 UK Freeports, located in the Humber Estuary around the ports of Hull, Immingham and Grimsby. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport consortium led by Associated British Ports and local authorities, targeting offshore wind, advanced manufacturing and trade.
• Liverpool City Region Freeport: One of the 12 UK Freeports, spanning multiple sites across the Liverpool City Region including the Port of Liverpool. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport partnership with Peel Ports, local authorities, and tax/customs sites under the same UK government designation framework.
• Teesside Freeport: One of the 12 UK Freeports, centred on Teesport operated by PD Ports. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport targeting offshore wind, hydrogen and advanced manufacturing under the same UK government tax incentive framework as Solent Freeport.
• Freeport East: One of the 12 UK Freeports, centred on the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich with Innovation Martlesham. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport consortium under the same designation framework, focused on trade, logistics and innovation sites.
• Plymouth Freeport: One of the 12 UK Freeports, focused on Plymouth's south coast maritime cluster with sister sites at Langage and Sherford. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport with strong maritime and defence heritage, same tax incentive framework, and similar consortium-led governance.
• Forth Green Freeport: One of the 12 UK Freeports, located on the Firth of Forth in Scotland, with sites at Rosyth, Leith and Burntisland. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport consortium targeting offshore wind, trade and decarbonisation investments under the same UK framework.
• Celtic Freeport: One of the 12 UK Freeports, located in South West Wales at Milford Haven and Port Talbot. Directly comparable as a UK Freeport consortium targeting hydrogen, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing under the same UK designation framework.

Broad incumbents

• Associated British Ports (ABP): The UK's largest ports operator and a strategic partner of Solent Freeport (operating Port of Southampton and Solent Gateway at Marchwood). Comparable as a broad incumbent port operator with overlapping customs, infrastructure and site management capabilities across multiple UK locations.
• Peel Ports Group: One of the UK's largest port operators (Liverpool, Manchester Ship Canal, Clydeport, London Medway) and a key partner in Liverpool City Region Freeport. Comparable as a broad incumbent port operator with Freeport zone management and large-scale industrial real estate.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solent-freeport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solent Freeport