DI Andy Horton helps Portsmouth International Port celebrate 40 years in 2016

DI Andy Horton was called to assist Portsmouth International Port kick start their 40th anniversary celebrations in 2016 (now 45 years)  with the launch of an exhibition showing the development of the Port over the years.  OK, so it wasn't actually Andy Horton who showed up in person but me and I took him along for good company in the form of of Fatal Catch. Since this event DI Andy Horton has indeed been at Portsmouth Port in LETHAL WAVES when a woman was found dead in a cabin on the Condor Commodore Ferry which sails from Portsmouth to the Channel Islands.  Condor were hugely helpful as was Portsmouth Port in helping with my research.

The Portsmouth International Port, features in my DI Andy Horton crime novels, because it is where Andy often boards the police marine launch piloted by Sergeant Elkins and PC Ripley to cross the Solent to the Isle of Wight or to travel around Portsmouth Harbour or to the outlying harbours of Langstone and Chichester.  In the Horton novels you will find that the Port is often referred to as either the Continental Ferry Port or the Commercial Port, this is what us Portsmouth locals have called it for years but it has recently undergone re-branding to become the Portsmouth International Port to reflect its burgeoning market.  It now attracts a number of cruise ships in addition to many freight carriers.

The Portsmouth International Port, owned and operated by Portsmouth City Council, has grown extensively since its formation in 1976 when initially it offered just one route to France from a small section of reclaimed harbour front. Now it is known as Britain’s Best Connected Port with more destinations than any other UK Port. The Port is also a key destination for fresh fruit and vegetables from all over the world.

Four decades since the first ferries departed from France the Portsmouth International Port has seen 90 million passengers, 25.5 million passenger vehicles and 8.5 million units of freight come and go to Europe on 135,000 ferry crossings. That's a lot of traffic!