Associated British Ports

ABP CONNECT CONTINUES TO BUILD UPON ITS SUCCESSES
ABP Connect, the value-added services division of Associated British Ports (ABP), has enjoyed a good first half of the year.

The securing of prestigious new business � including B&Q�s decision to handle containerised imports into the UK through ABP Connect�s Exxtor Terminal at the Port of Immingham � and the ongoing expansion of its range of services and facilities, helped to achieve a 23 per cent increase in ABP Connect�s turnover.

Operating capacity at Hams Hall Railfreight Terminal � ABP Connect�s West Midlands terminal � virtually doubled, following the completion of a �2.2 million expansion programme. The programme, which was partly funded by a �1.2 million Strategic Rail Authority grant, saw the terminal develop an additional 550 m of rail siding, an increased loading area, facilities to handle car trains and 6,500 sq m of block-paving for additional container storage. Three new reach-stackers were also acquired.

In addition to the increased frequency of existing services at Hams Hall, two further operations have commenced at the terminal. A daily service, introduced by John G. Russell (Transport) Ltd, now operates between Hams Hall and Glasgow. Another service, run in conjunction with EWS, connects ABP�s Port of Southampton with the railfreight terminal. �../2
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ABP Connect�s Exxtor Terminal � a four-berth lift-on/lift-off and roll-on/roll-off terminal at ABP�s Port of Immingham � this year welcomed the arrival of two new regular services. In April, Kursiu Linija signed a new contract for its weekly container-line service. A customer of the port since 2001, Kursiu Linija operates a weekly fixed-day liner service between Immingham and the Baltic ports of Klaipeda, Riga and Kaliningrad. Most recently, French-based firm CMA CGM introduced a weekly feeder service, with Immingham as a first port of call. The Exxtor Terminal receives cargo transhipped from Zeebrugge and Rotterdam. Originating from the Far East, the cargo comprises primarily goods and materials for the UK domestic DIY market.

AMPORTS UK, ABP Connect�s vehicle-processing and stevedoring operation at ABP�s Port of Southampton, branched out this year into servicing visiting cruise ships. Offering mooring, baggage-handling, porterage and ship stores, AMPORTS UK�s new venture has already succeeded in capturing 10 per cent of the cruise-ship market at Southampton.

Paul Allen, Managing Director, ABP Connect, expressed his delight at the good start to the year:

�Consistent growth in all areas of ABP Connect�s comprehensive logistics service reflects our ambition to continue to develop the business in a strong way. Investment in new facilities has demonstrated our commitment to our customers, and in turn has helped secure new business.�

3rd September 2003

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