The Island’s container docks should remain in Hamilton, according to Warren Jones, of Stevedoring Services.

The CEO of the firm’s parent company, Polaris Holding Ltd, believes the central location of the present site suits all parties involved in the shipping process.

Mr Jones told The Royal Gazette that he hoped the company would be involved in any future talks to relocate the docks if the waterfront in Hamilton was to be redeveloped.

“Many studies have been done on the best location for the docks,” he said. “A report in 2008 suggested that Hamilton was still the best location because it was the most sheltered harbour, with Marginal Wharf in St David’s coming in second as the best alternative.

“The thing with Marginal Wharf is that it would involve extra expense as upgrades to the Causeway would have to be made.

“I believe that for everyone involved in the shipping process, it is best that the docks should remain in Hamilton.

“Most of the warehouses to which containers are taken are within easy reach of the docks.”

The idea of relocating the docks out of Hamilton has been discussed for the past two decades.

In recent years, it has come to the fore with talk of developing Hamilton waterfront.

In 2008, the Government commissioned a report to look into what options were available.

The draft report by Bermello Ajamit & Partners was not officially released to the public, but in the 76-page document, experts assessed five different potential locations, including three on North Shore, Morgan’s Point and Marginal Wharf, in St David’s.

The report scored each location according to matrix of cost, existing site use, access, social impacts and other considerations to determine the preferred alternative. The Marginal Wharf site in St David’s was seen as the most favourable.

“There have been discussions about the future of the docks,” Mr Jones added. “From a Stevedoring Services standpoint, we just hope that, if there is to be discussions about the future of where the docks are located, we would like to be part of those talks.

“The overarching fact is that we hope we would be involved in any decision about where it is to go.”