Associated British Ports

ABP�S PORTS OF HULL AND GOOLE ENJOY STEADY FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR
Associated British Ports� (ABP) Ports of Hull and Goole enjoyed a steady first half of the year, seeing growth in a variety of commodities, including forest products, roll-on/roll-off traffic and grain exports. The ports have benefited from ongoing investment in facilities, and have managed to secure more new business.

The beginning of the year also brought with it new appointments in senior management. Douglas Morrison was promoted to Port Director for Hull and Goole, following the retirement of Mike Fell in April, and Matt Jukes succeeded Douglas Morrison as Deputy Port Manager for Hull and Goole.

Hull
Hull�s cargo-handling capabilities were boosted in March this year, following the acquisition of a new 100-tonne capacity mobile harbour crane. Purchased at a cost of �1.4 million, the Liebherr 320-diesel hydraulic mobile crane is principally employed in the port�s King George Dock, where the majority of the port�s deep-sea business is handled. The latest addition to Hull�s cranage facilities has substantially improved the handling of various types of cargo, and has thus enabled faster vessel turnaround times for the port�s customers.

The port�s container traffic benefited from the success of a new liner service which started in December last year, linking Hull with the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The weekly service to Hull Container Terminal is operated by Bulcon, the container-services division of Navibulgar.

A Public Inquiry was held in July into Quay 2005, ABP�s proposed �40 million riverside development, near Alexandra Dock on the port�s estate. The facility will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels than can currently be handled, and will serve to meet the expected growth in short-sea container traffic. The Government�s decision on this is expected early next year.

Hull recently won new business, following a 10-year agreement with Marshall Maritime Services Limited (MMS). As part of the agreement, ABP has provided MMS with a new shed, situated in King George Dock, to enable the company to handle a variety of steel products � from hollow sections to coils � for its steel customers, as well as various timber products.

Goole
In May, the Strategic Rail Authority awarded ABP a 70 per cent Freight Facilities Grant for the construction of a new �1 million railfreight terminal at the port. Scheduled to be completed in the autumn, the project involves the refurbishment of an existing rail siding, the construction of a new 200-m long parallel rail siding and the laying of associated heavy-duty paving on the quayside of the port�s West Dock. Improvements to the port�s rail infrastructure will ensure a significant reduction in the number of lorry journeys to and from the port, benefiting the environment.

Douglas Morrison, Port Director for Hull and Goole, expressed his satisfaction at the performance of the ports in the first half of the year:

�We have enjoyed a very healthy start to the year, with growth in certain key trades and the introduction of new services. Investment in the ports� facilities has enabled us to not only reinforce our relationships with existing customers, but has also allowed us to attract new business. I look forward to building upon the strong base we have so far established this year.�

3rd September 2003

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