Volume Six - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Select Aspects - Trade at Penarth - 1938 - 1949 . . .

The Minister of Transport in answer to a question in the House of Commons on the 29th October, 1945, stated 'the total imports and exports, including bulk cargoes, passing through the UK ports during the war amounted to about 250,000,000 tons.'

An examination of the statistical tables included in this handbook will shew that the South Wales Ports alone dealt with over a third of that colossal tonnage and , furthermore, that they handled 10,000,000 tons of "wet imports and exports" which passed through the various oil installations during the same period.

Since the cessation of hostilities, strenuous efforts have been, and are still being, made to attract to the South Wales Ports a share of the increased overseas trade which, it has been emphasised in all responsible quarters, is essential to the national economic recovery.

It is, therefore, again in "hopeful spirit" that this Foreward is written. Indeed, it is even more than that. It is with confidence that, if the Country is to achieve victory in its rehabilitation aims, the South wales Posts must be called upon to carry an appreciable share of the increased tonnages involved, both in imports and exports.

They are ready and willing to meet any demand that may be made upon their vast resources."

Penarth Dock

"The development of the natural harbour formed by the estuary of the River Ely commenced about the middle of the nineteenth century when Penarth Dock was constructed. Although a certain amount of trade had been carried on in the river for some time previously, the new dock became necessary by reason of the export coal trade outstripping the facilities available at Cardiff.

Of recent years, however, the volume of coal exported from South Wales has diminished considerably, with the result that it has been necessary temporarily to close the dock for import and export business.

Complete access is still available to the premises of the Penarth Pontoon, Slipway and Ship Repairing Co., Ltd., and vessels are also admitted to the dock for lying-up for extended periods, the dock rent being chargeable on a special scale, details of which are as follows:-