ABP invested millions into Port of Ipswich in 2016

In 2016, the Port of Ipswich committed £2.2 million to the construction of a new 40 000 ft² bulk store, which is due for completion in April. This will be used to meet the demands for additional agribulk storage, where Ipswich is the UK’s most important export port.

Additionally, the port worked with local company Spirit Yachts to refurbish their existing property to give them the ‘best facility’ on the East Coast of the UK, providing £300 000 in funding for the project. The company also extended the lease of their facilities on the island site at Ipswich Wet Dock.

More than £1.6 million was spent on new equipment, including five cargo handling grabs, four forklift trucks and a new Mantsinen tracked mobile high capacity crane which is due for arrival at the port early next month.

ABP Short Sea Ports Director Andrew Harston said: “2016 was a significant year for the Port of Ipswich. We were named the UK’s leading export port for agricultural products by the Department for Transport for the sixth consecutive year and our customers set a new grain handling record for tonnage in the 2015/2016 harvest year.”

“The investment in the port is not only for ABP’s operations; our business depends on our customers and their success. We are committed to providing them with effective infrastructure and equipment, and in 2016 the team in Ipswich focused on working with our customers to better meet their operational needs.”

2016 end of year figures also showed that Ipswich handled 2.6 million t of cargo through the port, a 13% increase overall from 2015. More specifically, there was a 22% increase of exported cargo handled at the port. In 2015, while just over one million t of cargo was exported, last year saw over 1.25 million t of exported cargo leave from Ipswich.

ABP Divisional Port Manager Paul Ager said: “Last year it was evident that there was a need to expand our infrastructure to meet the demands of the port and it is a tribute to our customers and all of the Port of Ipswich team that this has been the best year since 2010.” “We expect 2017 to be just as busy as 2016, especially when our next new bulk shed is open and ready for use. Our investment in Ipswich is ongoing and we will be reviewing ways to update, improve and expand our facilities at the port,” he concluded.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/27012017/abp-invested-millions-into-port-of-ipswich-in-2016/