A Freeport is a designated area that aims to boost economic growth, attract investment, help to create jobs and support innovation. Freeports bring together a package of government-backed incentives, including tax reliefs, customs benefits, planning support and investment opportunities, to encourage businesses to invest and grow.

The Solent Freeport combines strategically important ports, employment sites and business locations across the Solent region. By creating an attractive environment for investment and supporting key sectors, the Solent Freeport is helping to strengthen international trade, drive innovation, improve skills and create long-term economic opportunities for local communities.

The Solent Freeport is uniquely positioned at the heart of the UK’s maritime economy. Located on the south coast of England, it provides direct access to international shipping routes, global markets and major UK manufacturing centres.

The Solent is home to world-leading strengths in maritime industries, advanced manufacturing, defence, clean energy and innovation. It also benefits from internationally recognised universities, research institutions and specialist skills providers.

By bringing together these assets, the Solent Freeport aims to become a leading hub for global trade, investment, innovation and decarbonisation, helping to strengthen both the regional and national economy.

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from the opportunities created by the Solent Freeport.

This includes:

• Existing Solent-based businesses looking to grow
• Manufacturers seeking access to international markets
• Maritime and marine businesses
• Clean energy and decarbonisation specialists
• Defence and aerospace companies
• Technology and innovation-led businesses
• SMEs looking to access new partnerships, customers or support programmes

While some incentives are linked to specific Freeport sites, many of the wider economic benefits, including investment, skills programmes and business support initiatives, are intended to support businesses across the wider Solent region.

Attracting inward investment is a key objective of the Solent Freeport.

The Freeport offers investors access to strategically located development sites, excellent transport connectivity, a highly skilled workforce, leading research institutions and a strong business ecosystem. It also provides access to government-backed Freeport incentives designed to encourage business expansion and long-term investment.

By promoting the Solent region as a globally connected location for innovation and growth, the Freeport is helping attract businesses that will create jobs, strengthen supply chains and contribute to economic prosperity.

The Solent Freeport offers a range of investment opportunities across sectors including advanced manufacturing, maritime industries, clean energy, defence and technology.

Investment opportunities include commercial development sites, innovation partnerships, infrastructure projects, supply chain growth opportunities and collaboration with universities and research organisations.

The Freeport is also working to unlock underutilised land and bring forward strategic employment sites that can support new business investment and expansion.

Creating opportunities for local people and communities is central to the Solent Freeport’s mission.

The Freeport aims to support regeneration, facilitate the creation of new jobs, improve skills opportunities and attract investment into areas that have historically faced economic challenges. By working with local authorities, education providers and employers, the Freeport is helping ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared across the region.

This includes supporting career pathways for local residents, improving access to training and helping businesses create high-quality employment opportunities.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are essential to the success of the Solent economy.

The Solent Freeport is helping SMEs access new opportunities through supply chain development, business growth initiatives, networking opportunities, skills programmes and innovation support.

By attracting investment and encouraging business expansion, the Freeport creates opportunities for SMEs to win new contracts, reach new markets and collaborate with larger organisations, universities and strategic partners.

The Solent Freeport is expected to deliver significant economic benefits locally and nationally.

These include attracting private investment, facilitating the creation of employment opportunities, supporting business growth, increasing trade, improving productivity and encouraging innovation. The Freeport is also helping unlock development opportunities and strengthen key sectors that are important to the future of the UK economy.

In addition, investment generated through the Freeport will help support programmes focused on business growth, skills, innovation and decarbonisation across the Solent region.

Solent Freeport is helping to accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon economy by supporting clean energy innovation, sustainable industry and the decarbonisation of key sectors.

The Solent region is already recognised as a centre of excellence for maritime innovation and is playing an important role in developing solutions for cleaner shipping, alternative fuels, low-carbon technologies and sustainable infrastructure.

Solent Freeport is working with businesses, universities and public sector partners to support investment in clean energy, develop the skills needed for future industries and create opportunities that contribute to long-term environmental and economic resilience.

Businesses can engage with the Solent Freeport in a number of ways, including exploring investment opportunities, participating in business events, connecting with sector networks and accessing information about programmes and initiatives.

The Freeport works closely with businesses, local authorities, education providers and strategic partners to understand business needs and identify opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Businesses interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Solent Freeport team directly or follow the latest news and updates through the website and social media channels.

The best way to stay informed about Solent Freeport activity is through the official website, Linkedin channel and stakeholder communications.

Regular updates are provided on investment announcements, development projects, business opportunities, skills initiatives, events and strategic partnerships.

Businesses, residents and stakeholders can also subscribe to newsletters and attend relevant events to stay connected with Freeport developments.

The Solent Freeport is a partnership bringing together local authorities, ports, landowners, businesses, universities and other strategic organisations from across the Solent region.

This collaborative approach helps ensure the Freeport can deliver its objectives around trade, investment, innovation, skills, decarbonisation and economic growth.

By working together, partners are helping to create a coordinated approach to attracting investment, supporting businesses and delivering long-term benefits for communities across the Solent.

Tax sites are similar to enterprise zones where occupiers enjoy fiscal incentives such as business rates relief and enhanced capital allowances.

Navigator Quarter: A 112-acre site split into three areas, Railside, Riverside and Skyside, which will provide state-of-the-art research, manufacturing and industrial facilities. Located approximately 2km north east of Junction 5 on the M27. Adjacent to Southampton Airport and Southampton Parkway Station and close to Eastleigh Station.

Dunsbury Park: A 100-acre prime industrial and manufacturing business park located adjacent to the A3(M), eight miles north of Portsmouth city centre. It is home to FatFace’s UK HQ, alongside DPD and Breeze Motor Group.

Port of Southampton ABP-Redbridge: UK’s number one vehicle handling port (900,000 vehicles a year) and Europe’s leading turnaround cruise port – five cruise terminals/two million passengers annually. Less than three miles from the M271 and close to Southampton city centre, the port supports 45,600 jobs and contributes £2.5 billion to the nation’s economy every year. As the UK’s number one hub for deep sea trade, Southampton handles exports worth £40 billion annually.

Port of Southampton ABP Redbridge Strategic Land Reserve: Prime development site located in the heart of the Port of Southampton’s thriving Western Docks. This 12-hectare, 30-acre site offers businesses a brilliant opportunity to create bespoke facilities of up to 600,000 sq ft.

Fawley Waterside: Proposed new town/village with more than 1,300 homes and marina on former power station site with two miles of coastline, just 90 minutes from London by road.

ExxonMobil: Located near key transport routes at Fawley on Southampton Water, it is the UK’s largest integrated petrochemical complex, producing a range of energy products, lubricants and chemicals. It handles 2,000 shipping movements a year, distributes products via a 700km pipeline and has the longest privately owned jetty in Europe at 1.5km long.

Customs sites help enable the efficient movement of goods for both export and import through simplified customs procedures.

Portsmouth International Port: Responsible for handling millions of customers and vital cargo across the globe, it is considered the UK’s best connected port, with direct M275 motorway access ideal for major connections via the A3 to London and A34 to the midlands. Importantly it is only an hour from the main shipping channels.

The Solent Freeport offers investors access to one of the UK’s most strategically important trading and business locations.

Located at the heart of the UK’s maritime gateway, the Solent region provides direct access to international shipping routes, excellent road and rail connectivity, world-class ports, a highly skilled workforce and leading research institutions.

The Freeport combines these advantages with government-backed incentives, a strong business ecosystem and opportunities across sectors including advanced manufacturing, maritime industries, defence, clean energy and technology.

For businesses looking to establish, expand or invest in the UK, the Solent Freeport provides a compelling location for long-term growth.

Eligible businesses located within designated Solent Freeport tax sites may be able to benefit from a package of government-backed incentives designed to encourage investment and development.

These can include reliefs linked to business rates, structures and buildings allowances, employer National Insurance contributions and capital investment, subject to government rules and eligibility requirements.

Businesses interested in locating within a Freeport tax site should contact the Solent Freeport team for the latest guidance and eligibility information.

The Solent is one of the UK’s most important gateways to global markets.

Its ports provide access to international shipping routes and connect businesses with customers and supply chains around the world. The region also benefits from strong road, rail and airport connectivity, linking the south coast with London, the Midlands and the wider UK economy.

This strategic position makes the Solent an attractive location for importers, exporters, manufacturers and businesses seeking efficient access to domestic and international markets.

The Solent Freeport is particularly focused on sectors where the region already has internationally recognised strengths and significant growth potential.

These include:

• Maritime and marine industries
• Advanced manufacturing
• Defence and aerospace
• Clean energy and decarbonisation technologies
• Digital and emerging technologies
• Research and innovation-led businesses

These sectors align with the Solent’s competitive advantages and are expected to play a major role in driving future economic growth.

The Solent is home to world-class universities, research centres and innovation assets, making it an ideal location for businesses looking to innovate and grow.

The Freeport supports collaboration between industry, academia and public sector partners to accelerate research, development and commercialisation. It also seeks to attract innovative businesses that can benefit from proximity to specialist expertise, testing environments and sector clusters.

Particular areas of focus include maritime innovation, autonomy, advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

International businesses interested in locating within the Solent Freeport can engage directly with the Solent Freeport team to explore available opportunities.

Support may include introductions to development partners, local authorities, universities, sector networks and business support organisations. The Freeport can also help businesses understand the opportunities available within designated tax and customs sites.

The Solent Freeport aims to provide a coordinated and investor-friendly approach that supports businesses throughout the investment journey.

A key priority for the Solent Freeport is ensuring businesses can access the workforce they need to grow.

The Freeport works closely with universities, colleges, training providers and employers to develop skills programmes that respond to industry demand. Particular focus is given to advanced manufacturing, maritime industries, digital technologies and clean energy sectors.

This helps businesses access talent while creating career opportunities for local people.

The Solent Freeport will not directly create jobs itself but will support the creation of thousands of jobs through business investment, infrastructure development and economic growth.

New opportunities are expected across a range of sectors including advanced manufacturing, maritime industries, engineering and clean energy.

The Freeport is committed to working with employers and education providers to help local people access these opportunities and develop the skills needed for future careers.

The Solent Freeport is helping to strengthen skills provision across the region by working with employers, colleges, universities and training providers.

This includes supporting pathways into sectors such as engineering, advanced manufacturing, maritime industries, digital technologies and clean energy.

The aim is to ensure residents have access to the skills, training and qualifications needed to benefit from future employment opportunities created through Freeport investment.

The Solent Freeport has been established to deliver long-term economic benefits that extend beyond its designated sites.

These benefits include job creation, investment in skills, support for local businesses, infrastructure improvements and opportunities for regeneration. The Freeport is particularly focused on helping communities that have experienced economic challenges and ensuring that growth creates positive outcomes for residents across the wider Solent region.

Yes. Supporting future generations is a key part of the Solent Freeport’s long-term vision.

The Freeport is helping create new career pathways through apprenticeships, technical education, training programmes and employer engagement initiatives. By working closely with schools, colleges and universities, the Freeport aims to inspire young people and help them access high-quality employment opportunities within the region.

The Solent Freeport is supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy through investment, innovation and collaboration.

The region is already a recognised centre for maritime and clean energy innovation, and the Freeport is helping accelerate activity in areas such as alternative fuels, clean technologies, sustainable transport and industrial decarbonisation.

This work supports economic growth while helping create a more sustainable future for the Solent region.

The Freeport is helping create new opportunities for local businesses by attracting investment, strengthening supply chains and supporting business growth.

Many of the benefits generated by Freeport activity will extend beyond designated sites, creating opportunities for businesses across the wider Solent economy to access new customers, contracts, partnerships and growth opportunities.

Residents can stay informed through the Solent Freeport website, Linkedin channel and stakeholder events.

The Freeport is committed to communicating openly about its activities, investment projects and opportunities, helping ensure communities remain informed and engaged as plans develop.