Black History Month - Remembering Windrush

Thursday 31st October 2024

The month of October marks Black History Month. As we come to the end of the month, we wanted to spotlight the history of Windrush Day and its connection to Forth Ports.

76 years ago, the HMT Empire Windrush docked at the Port of Tilbury with passengers from across the Caribbean, to start a new life in the United Kingdom.

We would like to reach out to schools and youth organisation groups and share our Windrush education pack, providing information on the story and the rich history behind it.

If you are making preparations for Windrush day 2025, we would like to highlight the education pack which can be found at the links below

Windrush Foundation – KS2 Lesson Plans for Studying the Empire Windrush and Caribbean migration

70 Windrush Pioneers and Champions

If you require any further information, please contact engagement@forthports.co.uk.

 

Photo Credit : Ageless Teenagers

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Scottish Secretary visits Scotland’s first purpose built renewables hub at Port of Dundee

Monday 28th October 2024

The Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, toured Scotland’s first purpose built offshore wind marshalling facility at the Port of Dundee.

The award-winning Port of Dundee’s renewables hub became fully operational in 2022, following a private investment of £40 million by Forth Ports. The port is a key part of the company’s ambitious growth plans across the country to deliver transformational green port infrastructure ahead of market demand to service the growing offshore wind industry.  This is delivering results in supply chain development for Scotland.

As part of a tour of the port, the Secretary of State met graduates and apprentices and saw first-hand the port logistics of moving offshore wind components to site in the North Sea. Dundee is currently a marshalling and assembly base for the 54 turbine 450MW Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Offshore Wind Farm project, which is under construction 15km off the coast of Fife and has started to generate electricity.

Following the completion of NnG, the Port of Dundee is it set to become the marine hub for the 72 turbine 1.1GW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm project scheduled to be built off the coast of Angus.

Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “It was a real pleasure to visit the Port of Dundee, part of the Forth Ports group. It was great to see in action their track record of investing in port infrastructure to support the growing domestic supply chain for offshore wind. That includes the creation of a bespoke renewables hub in Dundee. Along with their hub in Leith, this is a key part of Scotland’s transition to clean energy and to growing our green technologies.”

Stuart Wallace, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, who hosted the Secretary of State, said: “It was great to welcome the Secretary of State to see Scotland’s premier renewables hub in operation.  We continue to invest in dedicated wind terminal infrastructure to secure green jobs for Scotland, as the nation looks to build its offshore wind industry supply chain capacity.  Our new large-scale, purpose-built offshore wind operations at Dundee and Leith* will help grow that footprint further.

 “Our recent investment in infrastructure, people and marine services, coupled with Dundee’s strategic location, mean that Forth Ports is already supporting a pipeline of offshore wind projects that are delivering the country’s net zero, energy security and renewables targets.”

*The Port of Leith completed construction of its new renewables berth which is part of the transformation of the port into a renewable energy hub that will create thousands of high-quality green jobs and be able to accommodate the largest of offshore wind construction vessels. There will be a large lay down area to allow wind farm components to be stored and assembled and we’re working hard to attract a manufacturer to the site.

In 2023, Forth Ports launched its Net Zero Plan and the actions it is taking to achieve a Net Zero carbon operation by 2042.  The company, which is Scotland’s biggest port operator, also outlined an interim target of achieving carbon neutral emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 2032, while creating an infrastructure platform – like Dundee, Leith and Burntisland – to accelerate the UK’s path to a decarbonised economy.

Stuart Wallace recorded a short video about the Secretary’s visit here .

– Ends –

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London Construction Hub welcomes construction companies for tour of facilities

Wednesday 23rd October 2024

The Port of Tilbury (as part of the London Construction Hub), in conjunction with Essex Chambers of Commerce, welcomed several businesses involved within construction for a tour around their facilities. Attendees included Balfour Beatty & Indurent, who were impressed by the scale of the operations and the complete solutions that the London Construction Hub could provide to construction projects.

Denise Rossiter, CEO, Essex Chambers commented:

“During the tour, members were given an in-depth look at the hub’s cutting-edge services, including its streamlined supply chain operations, vast storage capabilities, and 24/7 resilient transport links. As a vital logistics hub on London’s doorstep, the Port of Tilbury demonstrated how it reduces material miles and carbon emissions with expertise in cargo handling and marine services whilst providing tailored solutions to meet the growing demands of construction projects across the region.”

Daniel Galvin, Commercial Manager, Port of Tilbury commented:

“The London Construction Hub, has a proven track record for providing logistics solutions to major construction projects. We can provide total solutions to projects in London and the South East, presenting them with an excellent opportunity to deliver their projects with the lowest of carbon footprints whilst saving valuable space on site by utilising our material stockpiling expertise, the low embodied carbon materials imported by on-site suppliers, and our excellent river, rail, and road connectivity.”

In conjunction with Essex Chamber of Commerce, the London Construction Hub will look to welcome further businesses to visit the facilities and view the opportunities surrounding low carbon project delivery and supply chain consolidation.

For more information on the London Construction Hub, and how they may assist a construction project, please visit https://www.londonconstructionhub.co.uk/

For more information on how you can become a member of the Essex Chamber of Commerce, please visit https://www.essexchambers.co.uk/

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Forth Ports wins RenewableUK Supply Chain Impact Award

Friday 18th October 2024

We are thrilled to share that we won the Supply Chain Impact Award at the recent RenewableUK Global Offshore Wind Awards, for our significant impact on developing the supply chain.

Forth Ports Limited is implementing an offshore wind, multi-port infrastructure strategy to address the UK’s port capacity challenges and significantly contribute to supply chain development, supporting the UK’s offshore wind ambitions.

This proactive investment ensures that the UK can support developer projects and instil market confidence in the supply chain, with the necessary infrastructure to deploy offshore wind at both scale and pace.

Infrastructure is the backbone of any industrial cluster. Our purpose-built port infrastructure not only captures project activity and fosters supply chain development but also facilitates the creation of manufacturing facilities. This presents a tremendous opportunity for the UK to transform project-based offshore wind activities into a long-term, sustainable industry, benefiting the green industrialisation of the UK and future generations.

 

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Tilbury on the Thames Trust Secures National Lottery Heritage Funding for Riverside Station Restoration

Thursday 10th October 2024

Tilbury on the Thames Trust in Partnership with The Port of Tilbury is celebrating the achievement of securing an incredible £4,478,310 in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver its ambitious plans to fully refurbish Tilbury’s Grade II listed historic Riverside Railway Station to bring the historic landmark back to life as a vibrant community location.

The funding for the Back on Track* project marks a milestone in the Trust’s efforts over a number of years to secure major funding to transform the railway station into an exciting space for community events, studios for local artists, and a place to enjoy a cup of coffee in a new riverside café while watching the ships go by along the Thames. The transformation will celebrate the building’s rich heritage, from the arrival of the Empire Windrush to its legacy as a key stop for cruise liners today and from a bygone era.

To mark the funding award, a new video has been released today: https://vimeo.com/1017920540/e3f5fb3402?share=copy (please credit The Port of Tilbury if using this)

Commenting on the funding achievement, Paul Dale, Chair of Tilbury on the Thames Trust and COO of Forth Ports, said: “The Port of Tilbury is a gateway to the world along the River Thames, and we are proud of our maritime heritage and trade. The news that we have received National Heritage Lottery funding is very exciting, Tilbury on the Thames Trust have had a vision for the Tilbury Riverside Station in partnership with the Port for many years, and now this funding will bring the station back to life ensuring the local stories are told and preserving the rich history of the Riverside Station for generations to come.”

Scott Sullivan, co-founder of Tilbury on the Thames Trust, said: “Tilbury has literally won the Lottery! Back on Track shows how Lottery players really can make dreams come true, with this award enabling us to safeguard this remarkable building for the nation whilst also celebrating the personal stories and connections local people have. We hope our project demonstrates how residents and businesses can come together to realise something special for their community.”

 Lucy Emma Harris, Board member of Tilbury on the Thames Trust said: “Our successful application for the funding has been years in the making, driven by the dedication of the Tilbury on the Thames Trust, in close partnership with the Port of Tilbury. The Trust are extremely grateful to the many community stakeholders who rallied behind this project, including local schools Tilbury Towns Fund and local heritage groups. Their commitment to preserving this important local landmark along the River Thames highlights the station’s significance in our national story as a place of arrivals and departures, with countless stories woven into its past.

 “We look forward to welcoming the community back to Tilbury Riverside Station and invite everyone to be part of its exciting regeneration journey.”

 About the project

*Back on Track: Tilbury Riverside Station – £4,478,310 grant – Designed by Sir Edwin Cooper and built in the 1920s, Tilbury Riverside Station forms the core of the historic Port of Tilbury, a gateway to the world for almost 100 years, through which goods, people and their stories have passed to and from the UK. Most famously perhaps, this includes members of the British Caribbean Community who arrived with the SS Empire Windrush in 1948. Tilbury has also been interconnected with the River Thames and the defence of London for centuries made stark by Queen Elizabeth’s ‘heart and stomach of a king’ speech in the face of the Spanish Armada.

Back on Track is a partnership between local people and Forth Ports, which will place the building back at the heart of the local community. The restored Riverside Station will form part of the exciting redevelopment of the Tilbury waterfront, complementing Tilbury Town Fund developments, with a new café, event space, along with direct access to the River Thames. The former railway station will also include artist studios to support local business, education and investment, while permanent exhibition space will explore the history of Tilbury and its role in major national and international events. A four-year programme of engagement will explore personal histories through community research, exhibitions and events, bringing Tilbury’s rich and multi-faceted history to life.

The £4,478,310 in funding will revitalise Tilbury and create a thriving and vibrant community hub, boosting the local economy and reestablishing the town as a cultural destination. Funding will allow a full regeneration of the station building, creating 8 studio lets for local artists, a new café to offer a stop for thousands of travellers and open up the main ticket hall for community events. The project will facilitate training and learning opportunities within the community providing 6 volunteer roles, 302 volunteering opportunities and 9,000 volunteer hours, as well as almost 18,000 heritage engagement opportunities including exhibitions, community markets and workshops for locals and tourists.

‘Back on Track’ will be delivered by Tilbury on the Thames Trust in partnership with the Port of Tilbury as owners of the Riverside Station.  Both will be jointly accountable for the grant.

10 October 2024                              – ends –

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Six Tugs Blessed in Port of Leith Ceremony

Thursday 3rd October 2024

At a special dedication ceremony at the Port of Leith this week, six tugs were given a traditional marine blessing with their godmothers present. They form part of the large fleet of tugs and work boats operated by Targe Towing Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Forth Ports Limited, which provide towage, emergency response and other services 24 hours a day principally on the Forth and Tay, two of the UK’s busiest waterways, the North East ports of Scotland and offshore.

The ceremony also marked, by the merged entities, 40 years of continuous towage operations at Braefoot Bay and 30 years of operations at Hound Point Marine Terminal both located on the River Forth. Bishop of Brechin, Rt Rev Andrew Swift, led the blessing of the tugs, which are named the Balmerino, Camperdown, Inchcolm, Kittiwake*, Peterel and Queensferry and, to follow the tradition of assigning a female godmother to a marine vessel, each tug had its godmother at the ceremony.

  • MT BALMERINO – Godmother Carole Cran – Chief Commercial and Financial Officer at Forth Ports
  • MT CAMPERDOWN – Godmother Lesley Dorman – Lesley is married to Captain Nick Dorman, MD of Targe Towing
  • MT INCHCOLM – Godmother Tyne Reilly – FNGL Plant Manager at Shell
  • MT KITTIWAKE* – Godmother Pamela Smyth – Chief Legal and Property Officer at Forth Ports
  • MT PETEREL – Godmother Karen Wallace – Karen is married to Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports
  • MT QUEENSFERRY – Godmother Angela Gardner – Angela is married to Andrew Gardner, CEO of INEOS Forties Pipeline Services, owner of the tug.

[*The Kittiwake was operating elsewhere and not present at the ceremony.]

Representatives from Damen Shipyard, Robert Allan Naval Architects and Sanmar Shipyard who designed and built the tugs, welcomed the ship’s godmothers with a gift exchange. The Tugs, crewed by expert mariners, are established work horses of the Targe Towing and INEOS FPS marine fleets and have a long life span which can last decades. These state-of-the-art vessels demonstrate the latest technology and significantly enhance the overall towage capability and emergency response for the region.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports said; “This investment in enhanced marine services by Targe and INEOS FPS is a commitment to maintaining safe operations on the Forth, Tay and elsewhere as well as delivering excellent services to our customers. The Forth and Tay are two of the busiest waterways in the UK with thousands of vessels navigating the rivers including very large crude carriers (VLCC) to Hound Point, container vessels into Scotland’s largest container terminal at Grangemouth; jack up rigs into Dundee; cruise liners calling across our ports and deep water anchorages; and gas carriers to and from Braefoot Bay.” 

Captain Nick Dorman, Managing Director of Targe Towing said:  “These modern additions to our combined fleet will give us the flexibility and enhanced capability to future proof the growing maritime needs as the region transitions to alternative energy sources as well as maintaining the current demands.”

Andrew Gardner, CEO of INEOS FPS said: “We are delighted to be joining our partners on the Forth at this dedication ceremony and welcoming these modern and highly efficient tugs to support our Operations. In addition, I would like to mention and thank Targe Towing for 30 years of support and service on Hound Point and recognise their achievement in this time with a zero lost time safety record.”

 3 October 2024                                              -Ends-

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Senior management moves at Forth Ports

Friday 20th September 2024

As the business evolves, and continues to focus on achieving its ambitious goals, Forth Ports, the UK’s third largest ports group, announces two senior management changes.

Chief Operating Officer

With decades of experience in the ports business, Paul Dale (currently Asset and Site Director for the Port of Tilbury) has been appointed as Forth Ports’ Chief Operating Officer, expanding his role across the group.

In addition to his existing responsibilities at the Port of Tilbury, Paul will drive operational excellence across the group, lead the transformation of its infrastructure and technology and oversee its Marine, Engineering and Safety functions. Paul will focus on people development and building high performing teams. Derek Knox, Director of Operations Scotland, will now report directly to Paul as will Alan McPherson, Group Chief Harbour Master. Paul will remain a member of the company’s Executive Management Board.

Paul joined Forth Ports in 1989 as a 19-year-old marine operative.

Chief Commercial and Financial Officer

After seven very successful years with Forth Ports, Carole Cran, Chief Commercial and Financial Officer and main board director, has decided to step down from her role to explore opportunities outside of the company.

Carole joined Forth Ports as Chief Financial Officer in 2017 and will leave in November following the completion of the company’s annual business planning process. The company has initiated the recruitment process for her successor. In the intervening period the Group’s Finance and IT functions will be overseen by Matt McCreath, Director of Finance, and commercial activity will be led by Forth Ports’ strong commercial and legal teams.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said:

“Paul Dale is a very experienced ports professional and has already been instrumental in our growth and success at Tilbury. I am confident that, as we enter this next phase in Forth Ports’ development, he will prove to be an even stronger member of the Group’s executive team, helping us to demonstrate strength of character and deliver excellence across the business.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to Carole for her exceptional contributions during her time at Forth Ports and wish her every success as she embarks on the next chapter in her very successful career. Her leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in our success during her time here. She has encouraged us all to think differently and contributed significantly to the culture of the organisation. Carole will be greatly missed by everyone here.”

 

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Oil pollution response to be tested at training event in Kirkcaldy

Wednesday 11th September 2024

An emergency response safety exercise, which simulates an oil spill in the Firth of Forth, will take place on Tuesday 17th September in the vicinity of Pathhead Sands and Seafield Beach in Kirkcaldy.

Clearwater Forth – the oil pollution preparedness, response and cooperation plan – is tested annually by Forth Ports in different areas around the River Forth. Fife Council will partner with Forth Ports for the exercise this year and it is likely that the exercise will result in some activity on Pathhead Sands and Seafield Beach. Residents and walkers should not be alarmed by this activity, it is a training exercise only and there is no risk to the environment. The beaches will remain open but there will be specialist equipment in use so members of the public are advised to remain at a safe distance

Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master, Forth Ports, said: “The Clearwater Forth annual training exercise help us all gain experience so that we are better equipped to respond speedily and effectively should a real oil spillage ever occur in the river. Safety is a top priority for Forth Ports and all the other organisations involved in Clearwater Forth.

“No-one in the local area of Kirkcaldy should be alarmed if they see activity on the beaches, it’s a training exercise and there is no risk to the environment, people or property. We look at all kinds of situations during exercises and build on any lessons that arise so that we can improve our emergency procedures and be better placed to protect the local communities and the environment.”

Shona Robertson, Fife Council’s Emergency Resilience Manager, said: “Protecting the environment and Fife’s popular coastline is a priority for Fife Council and our local communities. This training exercise provides us and our partners with the opportunity to fully test arrangements, including Fife Council’s Pollution Contingency Plan, to ensure we are well-positioned to respond should any actual incident ever occur.”

Clearwater Forth is an established emergency response plan designed to handle incidents on the river which may involve the risk of oil pollution. The plan is the responsibility of Forth Ports and is only required to be tested every three years. However, Forth Ports tests this on an annual basis as the ports group views safety as a priority.

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Forth Ports invests in early careers as it welcomes 22 new graduates and apprentices

Monday 19th August 2024

Forth Ports has welcomed 22 new talented apprentices and graduates from across their UK wide business for a welcome day at the Port of Tilbury. The new intake brings a diverse range of skills and expertise and will be working across the business including operations, engineering, marine and finance.

Featuring a day of teambuilding activities designed to encourage collaboration and camaraderie for the new recruits, the welcome day at the Port of Tilbury included insightful discussions with leaders from across the Forth Ports Group, including CEO, Stuart Wallace, who offered a valuable perspective on the company’s vision, the important role that apprentices and graduates play in the future of the business and why Forth Ports is committed to investing in the future of the workforce.

The new group will be joining an existing community of 47 graduates and apprentices already working across the business in a wide range of roles. This latest addition of talent marks Forth Ports’ continued investment and commitment in nurturing and developing the new wave of upcoming talent for the port and logistics industry. The investment in talent is a key part of Forth Ports long-term strategy which aligns with the broader goals set by both the Scottish and UK Governments.

Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports said:

“We warmly welcome our new apprentices and graduates to our business and we wish them a successful career with us. Forth Ports is committed to investing in continuous learning and professional growth of all our people. We not only support an individual’s personal career journey but we also contribute to the UK’s broader economic and industrial goals. We aim to be at the heart of bringing talented individuals into the industry and look forward to supporting our apprentices and graduates on their career journey in the coming years.”

Harry Ford, Marine Apprentice at Forth Ports said:

“The welcome event was a great opportunity to bring together all areas of the business. I now understand how each area of the business operates, and how they work together as a whole. The event taught me how important it is to create healthy working relationships as I progress in my career.”

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Naming of renewable energy berth at Port of Leith honours former CEO

Tuesday 6th August 2024

Forth Ports is to name its newly-constructed deep water riverside berth at the Port of Leith – designed to host the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels – the Charles Hammond Berth, in honour of the company’s former Chief Executive who stepped down from the role in June, after 23 years at the helm.

The news was revealed to staff by his successor, Stuart Wallace, in an all-company video following a successful marine trial of the berth last week. It hosted the 88,500 tonne Carnival Legend cruise ship – the largest vessel ever to berth at the Port of Leith – in an exercise that was executed successfully.

Stuart Wallace, Forth Ports’ CEO, said:

“Since taking on the CEO role at the start of July this has been the easiest decision I’ve faced. 

“It was Charles’s vision to build the infrastructure, first in Dundee then here in Leith, to meet the needs of the offshore wind sector, ahead of the market. 

“This vision lives on, not just in his name but as we create Scotland’s largest renewable energy hub right here in Leith, helping Scotland and the UK achieve their net zero ambitions.”

Built to accommodate the world’s largest offshore renewables support vessels, Leith’s outer berth is scheduled to be completed and handed over later this month. The berth features a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m2), backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling and manufacturing.

Leith will deliver Scotland’s largest renewable energy hub on a 175-acre site – supporting Scotland’s energy transition plans, boosting local supply chains, creating new, high quality green jobs and making a significant contribution to the country achieving its net zero carbon emissions targets.

The Leith Renewables Hub will be part of the Forth Green Freeport’s strategically located tax sites, which aim to reindustrialise central Scotland, generating thousands of high-quality green jobs by increasing trade and supporting the growth of businesses across the Firth of Forth.

There will be an official opening ceremony for the new berth in the coming months.

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