SIGNIFICANT NEW DEVELOPMENTS UNDERPIN GROWTH IN FIRST HALF OF YEAR FOR ABP CONNECT
ABP Connect, the value-added services division of Associated British Ports (ABP), has reported a steady start to the first half of the year.
A number of significant business wins and the ongoing expansion of its range of services and facilities have enabled ABP Connect to achieve a 10 per cent increase in turnover compared to the first six months of 2003.
ABP Connect Cargoflow – Immingham (formerly Exxtor Terminal), the four-berth roll-on/roll-off and lift-on/lift-off terminal at ABP’s Port of Immingham, has undertaken a phased expansion programme to increase its container-handling capacity.In March, a £1.2 million surfacing project was completed, adding 4.85 hectares of container storage space. Management of the terminal’s container-storage facilities will be strengthened this month (September) following the installation of ‘Auto Store’, an advanced container-location system. ABP Connect will also take delivery of a new Liebherr P98L gantry crane in Spring 2005 and has recently announced it is to invest in two rubber-tyre gantry cranes.
Hams Hall Railfreight Terminal (HHRT), ABP Connect’s West Midlands terminal in Birmingham, continuestodevelopapace and win new customers. Following a new
two-yearagreementwithrail-logisticsspecialistFreightliner,ABP Connectis to
invest £1 million to purchase a fifth reachstacker, along with the construction of additional container storage space. A new office building will also be erected. Building work on these projects is expected to commence in September.
In February, HHRT was granted the authority to handle ‘uncleared’ containers after being awarded Inland Rail Depot status by Her Majesty’s Customs & Excise. Containers are now able to pass straight through to the terminal, creating a more efficient service for customers, and helping to relieve congestion at the major ports.
ABP Connect’s Freight-Forwarding department, based in Immingham, has experienced a buoyant six months through winning new business.Through agents Collyer Logistics, ABP Connect was appointed to arrange two separate shipments of two 72-tonne converters destined for an ethylene plant in Qingdao, China.ABP was responsible for organising their transport from industrial manufacturers Charles Thompson of Mexborough, Yorkshire, via ABP’s Port of Immingham, to the Maasvlaakte Terminal at the Port of Rotterdam. Upon their arrival at the Port of Rotterdam, the converters were transferred to a deep-sea vessel for their onward journeys to China.
A number of new appointments were also made. Jeffe Baker was named as ABP Connect’s new Business Development Manager in January, and Robert Hambleton was appointed as his successor as General Manager of Cargoflow – Immingham. Following a management restructuring, Stephen Burgess was named as the new Managing Director of ABP Connect.
Commenting on ABP Connect’s start to the year, Stephen Burgess said:
“Through continuing to invest in new facilities we have been able to attract new business. We are committed to our customers and to developing our facilities to address their needs. I look forward to building on the achievements we have already made.”
 |
 |
Copyright © Associated British Ports Holdings PLC 2004. All rights reserved.
Contact us
