Go ahead for Grimsby terminal

Following last week’s news that the UK port of Tyne has shown strong growth in its import activity (read more here), another port on the UK’s northeast coast–Grimsby–is to receive a boost for its finished vehicle handling with the approval of a dedicated two berth ro-ro riverside terminal.

 

Last week the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport approved Associated British Ports’ (ABP) planning application to develop the terminal, which will be able to accommodate vessels carrying in excess of 3,000 vehicles, significantly increasing the port’s capacity and making it more attractive to carriers.

 

Grimsby is part of the port complex that includes Immingham and Killingholme. It is Europe’s fourth busiest port and moved 713,000 vehicles last year, including those for Volkswagen, Toyota and Peugeot Citroën. However, car carrying vessels are currently berthed in Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock, which is accessed through the port’s original Royal Lock built in the mid-nineteenth century.

 

John Fitzgerald, ABP port director, Grimsby and Immingham, said: “Grimsby has carved a niche in this important trade by offering vehicle manufacturers specialist facilities. We need to equip the port for the future by allowing larger vessels to call and will be working closely with port customers to deliver what will be the largest project in Grimsby’s recent history.”

 

ABP has been working on the project with logistics service provider GBA, the Grimsby-based automotive logistics group that manages the car terminals at the port.

 

Permission to proceed with the development at Grimsby follows consent to upgrade berths in Southampton to handle the ultra-large container ships being delivered over the next few years.