About ABP
The UK's leading ports group, Associated British Ports (ABP) owns and operates 21 ports in England, Scotland, and Wales, and handles approximately a quarter of the country's seaborne trade.
ABP's 21 ports, together with the other transport-related businesses that constitute the ABP group, form a UK-wide network capable of handling every conceivable type of cargo. ABP is backed by investment in modern facilities and equipment, and supported by experienced staff. The group's other activities include rail terminal operations (Hams Hall), ship's agency, dredging (UK Dredging Ltd), and marine consultancy (ABPmer). Each port also offers a well-established community of port service providers.
Company history
|
1962 |
The British Transport Docks Board (BTDB) was established as a body corporate under the Transport Act 1962. |
|
1983 |
Under the Transport Act 1981, BTDB was reconstituted on 31 December, 1982. Thenceforth known as Associated British Port Holdings Plc (ABPH) and registered under the Companies Act, the company has powers in relation to Associated British Ports (ABP) corresponding to the powers of a holding company over a wholly-owned subsidiary. ABPH was subsequently floated on the London Stock Exchange in February 1983. |
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1988 |
Acquired Grosvenor Square Properties Group Plc (now Grosvenor Waterside Group Plc) |
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1988 |
Acquired Teignmouth Quay Company and Colchester Dock Transport Company in Essex |
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Joint venture - Southampton Container Terminals - formed, with ABP holding 49 percent stake |
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1989 |
Acquired Red Funnel Group |
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Whitby Port Services and Slaters Transport also acquired |
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1992 |
Acquired 49 percent stake in Tilbury Container Services |
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1997 |
Acquired Ipswich Port Ltd |
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1998 |
Acquired Exxtor Shipping Group Services Ltd |
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Acquired American Port Services (AMPORTS) |
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Ownership of Tilbury Container Services reorganised, becoming jointly owned by ABP, P&O Ports (Europe) Ltd and Port of Tilbury London Ltd |
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2000 |
Northern Cargo Services Ltd acquired |
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The Cardiff Bay Partnership, a limited partnership with Norwich Union in which the group has a 45 percent stake, created. |
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The Berkeley Group (renamed AMPORTS UK) acquired |
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Red Funnel Group sold |
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2001 |
ABP Connect launched |
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Nippress Cold Store Facility, Hull, acquired by ABP Connect |
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Sale of AMPORTS' aviation division announced |
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2002 |
AMPORTS' aviation division sold |
|
2003 |
Ground-breaking agreement between ABP and conservation bodies helps safeguard the future of the Humber Estuary as one of Britain's key habitats for migrating birds |
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|
A third cruise terminal is opened at ABP Southampton - the City Cruise Terminal |
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2004 |
Dibden Terminal expansion plans rejected |
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2005 |
Unveils plans to invest around £4 million in a second multi-deck car park at the Port of Southampton |
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Increases investment in Humber International Terminal 2 to almost £60 million |
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2006 |
ABP de-listed from the London Stock Exchange following the completion of a takeover by a private consortium of investors. ABP now owned by ABP (Jersey) Ltd, which is made up of a consortium comprising Borealis, GIC, Goldman Sachs, and Prudential. |
