Until 1882 there were two dock companies in Newport: the Newport Dock Company, which operated the Town Dock, and the Alexandra (Newport) Dock Company, which operated the Alexandra Dock. By Act of Parliament of 1882, they were amalgamated to form the Alexandra (Newport & South Wales) Docks and Railway Company (ANDR).
The Town Dock was now used for smaller vessels, and in time chiefly for the import trade, especially in timber. Larger cargoes were handled at the Alexandra Dock.