Return of an old friend (From Barry And District News)

Return of an old friend

ROBERT Wynn & Sons made a return to South Wales where the company was established more than 140 years ago.

The company's new concept heavy load vessel the Terra Marique offloaded her cargo in the docks last week.

The Terra Marique is registered in Newport, one of five South Wales ports which like Barry, is operated by Associat-ed British Ports (ABP).

This was her first visit to South Wales, where the company has long and deep-rooted connections. Her cargo was a 240-tonne generator transformer bound for Aberthaw (see page 5).

Launched from the terrace of the Palace of Westminster, less than two years ago, the Terra Marique has had a high profile first few years - including transporting the decommissioned G-BOAA Concorde, en route to its destination at the National Museum of Flight near Edinburgh.

Peter Wynn, Managing Director, said "Visiting the Port of Barry has given us a great opportunity to demonstrate to many of the friends of Robert Wynn & Sons, who still reside in South Wales, how we as a company have evolved.

"Many will remember the road transport vehicles, operating in the area in days when road space was less of a premium than today. The company firmly believes we are now playing our part in reducing the impact that such transport can cause through coastal shipping and inland waterways."

John Fitzgerald, Port Director of ABP South Wales, added: "The return of the Terra Marique to her roots here in South Wales is good news for our old friends Robert Wynn & Sons, and for ABP.