seagull May 3, 16:49
ABP granted approval for Southampton Port expansion
Associated British Ports (ABP) has finally been given the green light by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for the redevelopment of Berths 201 and 202 at the Port of Southampton, Port Technology reports.
The £150 million project has been held up ever since Hutchinson Ports, which owns the nearby Felixstowe, lodged a legal challenge in opposition of the infrastructure upgrade in November of last year.
The MMO’s decision will not only safeguard 800 direct and 1,200 indirect jobs but will also ensure that the container terminal remains competitive in the future, according to managing director of DP World Southampton, Chris Lewis.
“This is fantastic news for Southampton and for our customers,” Lewis told the Andover Advertiser.
“The berth redevelopment will help to ensure that the port remains globally competitive and successful by being able to handle the largest container vessels afloat.”
The increasing size of containerships has meant that the existing deepwater berths at Southampton are currently unable to accommodate four vessels simultaneously.
ABP will combine berths 201 and 202 with the addition of a new 500 meter quay wall, to enable the port to unload four megaships at a time.
“Having this enhanced infrastructure capability is vital,” added Lewis.
“DP World Southampton will be working closely with ABP on the reconstruction and development of the berths in what is another exciting chapter for all of us here at the port.”
The development of berths 201 and 202 is part of ABP’s ambitious plans to increase the handling capacity at the port located on England’s south coast to 2.7 million TEU a year. Southampton Port currently has an annual capacity of 2 million.
In contrast Felixstowe, the UK’s largest port, has just opened two new 730 meter berths, berths 8 and 9, both capable of accommodating the largest ships on the ocean.
en.portnews.ru
UK
