ABP’s PORT OF IPSWICH ONE STEP CLOSER TO COMPLETING £6.1 MILLION EXPANSION OF RO-RO FACILITIES

Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Port of Ipswich has taken a step closer to expanding its roll-on/roll-off (‘ro-ro’) facilities after accepting a £3.5 million tender from Edmund Nuttall Ltd to construct a second ro-ro berth at the port’s West Bank Terminal.

Work will commence at the end of June on the construction of a new 150-m long quay wall, a hydraulically operated linkspan, a tug berth and two protective-mooring dolphins.With the completion of additional work, including dredging and the creation of new surfacing, it is expected that the new facilities will be operational by the end of January 2005.

The £6.1 million capital project follows the agreement to extend the port’s existing five-year agreement with Ferryways by another 20 years in September 2003. Operating a ro-ro ferry service, Ferryways commenced operations at the port in February 2000 with the introduction of the Ipswich-Ostend two-ship service, and volumes have consistently grown year-on-year. To meet mounting demand, Ferryways introduced a third sailing in 2002, with a fourth vessel added to the service in June 2003. The construction of a second ro-ro berth will enable the port to accommodate the increased volumes.

Robert Smith, Port Manager, ABP Ipswich, commented on the development:

“Since acquiring the port in 1997, ABP has invested over £20 million in new and improved facilities. One of our key aims has been to re-establish the Port of Ipswich as a leading ro-ro port and, thanks to our strong relationship with Ferryways, we are starting to do this. Since Ferryways became a customer of the port, we have seen a consistent, year-on-year growth in ro-ro traffic. Investing in a second ro-ro terminal means that we will be able to develop our relationship with Ferryways further and secure our position as an important gateway for short-sea trades.”

Copyright © Associated British Ports Holdings PLC 2004. All rights reserved.
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