A floating pontoon used to discharge freight ferry vessels at the new Tilbury2 development at Port of Tilbury has been launched, marking a major milestone in the creation of a new multi-million pound port for London.

The pontoon, measuring 55 x 45m in dimensions, was launched from a slipway earlier this month from Ravestein BV yard in Deest, Holland. When complete the pontoon will be used to discharge freight Roll On/Roll Off (RoRo) vessels into the new terminal currently under construction by GRAHAM at Tilbury2.

The pontoon finishing works is expected to be completed in October, when it will then be towed by tug along with the linkspan bridge, ready for installation at the new RoRo terminal before the end of the year.

Paul Scott, contracts director for GRAHAM, said: “This launch is a significant milestone in Tilbury2’s marine package of works that will enable the terminal’s Roll On/Roll Off function to be realised.

“Once complete, the floating pontoon will provide large scale capacity for the loading and discharge of RoRo vessels at the terminal, enabling a huge increase in the volume of cargo being transported across the quay. The economic and social benefits of this scheme, not just locally, but nationally, cannot be understated and this launch is an exciting milestone in the scheme’s progression.”

Peter Ward, Commercial Director at The Port of Tilbury said: “The launch of the pontoon is a significant part of the creation of our new port Tilbury2 and we are pleased that the construction is on track for Spring 2020. When operational, T2 will be the largest unaccompanied Ro-Ro terminal in the UK.”

The Tilbury2 project consists of the construction of a new port terminal and associated facilities on land at the former Tilbury Power Station on the north bank of the River Thames at Tilbury.

When operational in Spring 2020, Tilbury2 will be the UK’s largest unaccompanied freight ferry port, the country’s biggest construction processing hub and will see the creation of a new significantly larger rail head which can accommodate the longest freight trains of 775m.

The project is central to the Port of Tilbury’s £1 billion investment programme during 2012-20, which has seen it double the size of its business in the past 10 years and is projected to double the volume of cargo across the quay (from 16 million to 32 million tonnes) and increase direct employment (from 3,500 to 12,000 jobs) over the next 10-15 years.

See below for two video clips from the launch.

https://vimeo.com/364233590/209e7d5124 – Film of pontoon being launched

https://vimeo.com/364233190/ce16cc0e50 – Timelapse film of pontoon coming out of hanger

7 October 2019                                           -ENDS-

The Port of Rosyth welcomed their new SAMSON ecological hopper into the port for commissioning. The hopper is the first of its kind in the UK and will be a key component of the port’s new agri-bulk hub facility for Cefetra.

Forth Ports owns and manages eight commercial ports across the UK including the Port of Rosyth which is strategically located for road and rail and provides an important connection with mainland Europe and the UK. The Port of Rosyth is currently in an exciting phase of development with a multimillion pound investment to provide a dedicated  agri-bulk facility for Cefetra. The new terminal and improved storage facilities will deliver increased annual throughput and storage capacity positioning Rosyth as the main agri-hub for Scotland.

In developing this new agri-hub the safety of staff and protection of the environment is paramount.  Forth Ports chose a SAMSON Eco Hopper to receive dry bulk materials as it offers a high and reliable import capacity whilst minimising the escape of dust and it is equipped with a host of safety measures to ensure effective and safe performance.

The new SAMSON Eco Hopper arrived at the Port of Rosyth earlier this month and it will now be installed and commissioned to receive dry bulk materials such as grain and aggregates.

“We are very pleased and excited to be working with such an important and respected Port Operator as Forth Ports and to provide one of our ecological hoppers for their new  agri-bulk terminal project at Rosyth” says Dale Lockley, Managing Director of SAMSON Materials Handling.  “The Forth Ports Group has considerable experience with the SAMSON range of equipment as there is already SAMSON ship loading and stockpiling equipment operating at their other ports, but this is the first Eco Hopper at Forth Ports, indeed the first SAMSON Eco Hopper in the UK”

Commenting on the hopper in Rosyth, Derek Knox, Senior Port Manager said: “It’s great to welcome the new SAMSON eco hopper into Rosyth. We are investing in our port to ensure the most efficient, dust free agri-hub for Cefetra as well as other bulk customers. We look forward to using the hopper on the next grain shipment due into the port in September. We have a strong relationship with SAMSON and have had a great experience with their market leading equipment.”

Operation of the SAMSON Eco Hopper is straightforward.  As dry bulk materials such as grain arrive by sea they are offloaded into the hoppers using mobile harbour cranes.  At a little over 18m in height and made of reinforced steel the Eco Hopper provides a sturdy and solid reception unit.  The Eco Hopper is topped by a tapered inlet shroud which minimises any dust generation caused by cross winds.  As the crane grab discharges the load, dust filter units situated on three sides of the hopper will keep any fugitive dust from spreading.  The grain then falls through the “Flex-Flap” dust seal system which contains any further dust.  Material is discharged from the hopper via a dual outlet fitted with two telescopic cascade discharge chutes. This allows a single truck to be loaded by two chutes simultaneously thus increasing the average loading speed.  Material passes through the SAMSON Eco Hopper at a peak rate of 1200 tph.  The unit is wheel mounted which allows it to be positioned across the port in different locations as required and to be moved clear to allow other port operations to continue when not in use.

The SAMSON Eco Hopper benefits from a variety of safety measures: a storm anchor system (comprising of chains, shackles and attachments to secure the equipment during high winds), ready-to-load traffic lights and sounders, working lighting and safety overload protection.  The operators’ cabin is climate controlled and provides a 360 degree view of the operation while accessing all controls.  There is also a hand-held pendant operator remote control unit.

Forth Ports Rosyth is the first UK port to install a SAMSON Eco Hopper to provide dust controlled import facilities for its new agri-hub.

P&O FERRIES will strengthen its position as the leading enabler of trade flows across the English Channel by launching a new daily ferry service linking Calais with the Port of Tilbury.

The new route launches this month and is designed to give freight which is not accompanied by a driver a direct route to a port located just 25 miles from Central London, further broadening P&O Ferries’ comprehensive service for importers to and exporters from the South East of England.

Janette Bell, Chief Executive of P&O Ferries, said: “We are delighted to be able to increase the choice we offer our customers by introducing a reliable, efficient and timely route for goods bound for markets in London and the South East.”

“The route saves up to 75 road miles each day compared with the traditional Calais-Dover crossing, meaning that our customers save on fuel and land on the doorstep of London. By prioritizing the fast discharge of the ship, the freight can be on the M25 from 5.30am, thereby enabling time-sensitive loads to continue their journey before the rush hour starts.”

Xavier Bertrand, Président du Conseil Régional des Hauts-de-France, said: “The opening of a regular shipping line between Tilbury and Calais is an event to celebrate for many reasons. On the one hand, it meets the expectations of the European market and will help developing trade with Greater London, the Midlands and Greater Manchester.”

“On the other hand, it will improve the fluidity on the Channel, especially in the event of a No Deal Brexit. The port of Calais and P&O Ferries show their willingness to invest in the future, to offer a wider range of services to their customers in the logistics sector and to enhance the attractiveness of the French coastline.”

Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group (owner of the Port of Tilbury), said: “This adds another string to Tilbury’s market offering at a crucial time for the UK economy. Our £250m investment in an expanded ferry terminal at Tilbury2 will add further scope to grow our P&O routes to-and-from northern Europe in 2020.”

P&O Ferries has chartered the Caroline Russ to service the new route, with two sailings every weekday and one each on Saturday and Sunday. The eight-hour sailing will have capacity for 100 units of freight, with a total of 50,000 expected to be carried in the first 12 months. It is expected that time-sensitive supermarket goods including fresh fruit and vegetables will be transported on the route.

The new river berth at the Port of Tilbury is scheduled to open in April next year, enabling P&O Ferries to treble volumes on its existing Zeebrugge-Tilbury services to 600,000 loads of freight a year. An onward rail connection to Daventry is also expected to be operational in 2020, mirroring the rail connections linking the Port of Calais with Le Boulou, Turin and Orbassano on the Continent.

P&O Ferries is a leading pan-European ferry and logistics company, sailing 27,000 times a year on eight major routes between Britain, France, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Holland and Belgium. It operates more than 20 vessels which carry 8.4 million passengers and 2.3 million freight units every year.

Together with its logistics business, P&O Ferrymasters, the company also operates integrated road and rail links to countries across the continent including Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain and Romania, and facilitates the onward movement of goods to Britain from Asian countries via the Silk Road. P&O Ferries is part of DP World, a leading enabler of global trade and an integral part of the supply chain.

ENDS

Capital Cruising has won a bid to host the prestigious Cruise Europe Conference for the first time in Edinburgh next year. The annual three-day event, which will be held in venues across the Capital in March 2020 including a gala dinner in the Museum of Scotland, is the largest and best attended cruise event in Europe with over 150 executives flying into Edinburgh from around the world.

Forth Port’s cruise business, Capital Cruising, will host the event after successfully presenting to the Cruise Europe team in Bruges, Belgium earlier this year. The conference gives Edinburgh the chance to showcase the unique attractions of the beautiful UNESCO city to an influential cruise audience during Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.

Edinburgh remains a popular cruise destination for visitors. Last year, Edinburgh was named Western Europe’s Top Cruise Destination 2018 for the first time. The award, managed by Cruise Critic, which is the world’s largest online cruise resource, is based solely on consumer ratings and reviews posted to the Cruise Critic website over the year – so it is first-hand feedback from cruisers themselves. Edinburgh won the award ahead of other amazing cities including Lisbon, Bilbao and Amsterdam.

Event host, Rob Mason, Head of Cruise for Capital Cruising in Scotland said: “This is brilliant news for Edinburgh and Scotland’s cruise market as we are set to welcome 150 of the world’s important players in the cruise sector to the City next year. This is a great opportunity to showcase what Edinburgh and the wider area has to offer cruise visitors and we are excited to be chosen as the hosts for 2020.

Scotland as a whole is a major draw for the cruise market, Edinburgh in particular is a ‘must-see’. The cruise season in Scotland is well underway and across all our ports we are expecting to welcome around 170,000 passengers this year which is a strong increase since last year.”

Commenting on the Edinburgh event, Jens Skrede, Managing Director of Cruise Europe said: “As soon as Edinburgh applied to be the hosting port, I knew they were frontrunners to be selected. Edinburgh is a marquee city which is on many people`s bucket list. In terms of cruise calls this is a great opportunity to showcase what not only Edinburgh, but the whole of Scotland has to offer cruise vessels and their guests.

For Cruise Europe it is a great venue, as we already have had very good feedback from decision makers working for the cruise lines that they want to join our event, network with our members and see what Edinburgh and surroundings have to offer. On a personal note, I can’t wait for March 2020!”

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “With the Year of Coasts and Waters right around the corner it is wonderful and timely to have such an important cruise event held in Scotland and a great achievement for Capital Cruising.

 “The Cruise Europe Conference shines a global spotlight on Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland with key players from across the world attending and it also provides a chance to highlight the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 which will celebrate Scotland’s stunning coastlines and inland waterways, our cultural and natural heritage, and food and drink.

 “The cruise sector is hugely significant to our tourism industry – attracting visitors to our ports who then venture across the country, which in turn contributes to the economy and helps to create jobs and sustain communities.”

Capital Cruising runs seven busy cruise terminals and anchorages across the UK and is the only port operator to offer unrivalled direct access to Edinburgh for cruise passengers.  With ports in Leith, Rosyth and anchorages at Newhaven and South Queensferry, passengers are within easy reach of the famous attractions in Edinburgh. Last year (2018), Capital Cruising welcomed 114 liners into the River Forth with over 150,000 passengers onboard. 2019 will see further growth in passenger numbers with an estimated 155,000 passengers expected to visit the country. Forth Ports is currently looking at further options on the River Forth to accommodate larger cruise liners along-side.

Cruise ship holidays continue to grow in popularity which is great news for Scotland’s cruise business which is on track to welcome 1 million passengers annually across the country (source: Cruise Scotland). There has been a significant increase over the past decade with international travellers enjoying world-wide travel from the luxurious comfort of a well-equipped cruise liner calling into major cities around the globe. The cruise business is an important economic boost for Scotland and the local areas where the liners call, with many local businesses and attractions benefitting from the tourism spend.

11 September 019                                        – ends –

Port of Tilbury, London’s major port, this month marks the 50^th anniversary of its grain terminal, the UK’s largest terminal for the import and export of grain.

Built at a cost of £53.5 million in today’s money, the grain terminal has processed over 35 million tonnes of product since opening in 1969. It currently handles two million tonnes of grain, wheat, barley and beans every year to help meet the UK’s import and export requirements.

A vital supplier to major global brands, grain is handled at the terminal daily through its import and export capability and is a key supporter of the agriculture industry in the south east of England as well as the flour milling and bakery industries. The terminal regularly handles cargoes from in and out of the UK and to countries across the world from the USA and Canada to France, Thailand and Australia.

With two grain towers on site, the terminal can discharge and load vessels simultaneously and with a five-star food hygiene rating the facility has the trust of major companies. The grain terminal is fully automated and linked to the two associated flour mills located within the port.

Grain brought into the terminal can be made into flour to be used for every day goods stocked in supermarkets including pasta, baked goods and malt – used to make beer and the soya found in baby food.

Since Thames Grain was added to the terminal in 1983 it has allowed UK grown grain to be sampled, tested and tipped prior to export. This process is used to support the grain terminal’s major export of UK wheat, barley and human consumption beans to destinations across the world.

Peter Ward, Commercial Director at The Port of Tilbury said: “This year marks a special anniversary for Port of Tilbury’s grain terminal which plays a huge role in supplying businesses from around the world with the grain needed to support their brands.

“In half a century the grain terminal has processed over 35 million tonnes of grain, wheat, barley and beans while also assisting in the production of flour in its two associated mills to provide supermarkets with some of their most popular products.

“Port of Tilbury continues to invest in this vital asset to ensure it continues as the largest terminal for the import and export of grain in the country for the next 50 years.”

The Tilbury Grain terminal is the key strategic facility in the South East of the UK for the grain import and export markets handling grain from around the world. The grain terminal has over 200 silo’s ranging in size from 60mt to over 2000mt, supporting the flour and ingredient market for the southeast, London and up to the Midlands. Its berths have space to host post-panamax vessels – greater than 40,000 tonnes – but can also handle a range of coaster vessels on its inner, outer and coaster berths. The terminal also operates a monthly coastal shipping service from Tilbury to its sister port in Kirkcaldy, Scotland for Carr’s Milling.

Earlier this year, Port of Tilbury completed a major storage expansion at the grain terminal as part of its growth strategy. The new flat store increases the capacity by an additional 16,000 tonnes of both import and export wheat.

Ends                                                                                                   6 September 2019

Forth Ports Limited has launched a new online, real-time, container tracking system for customers using the busy ports of London Container Terminal (Port of Tilbury) and Grangemouth in Scotland.

The bespoke container tracking system is available via the Forth Ports website – https://groupcont.forthports.co.uk/containerEnquiry/ – and gives customers the ability to enquire in real-time about the status of their container within the ports of Tilbury and Grangemouth. The simple to use system has been successfully delivered by the company’s in-house IT team in conjunction with their long-term port system supplier TCS and has been designed to be accessible without the need for a login or password.

By simply using a container number or booking reference, customers can locate up to 50 containers with status options ranging from exit by vessel; exit by truck; in yard; and exit by rail. These real-time, 24-7, accurate updates are aimed at supporting and streamlining customer’s supply chain processes by reducing the need to contact the port to get the same information.

Commenting on the new system, Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports said: “Our business is continually working hard to ensure that our customers receive an efficient service across our ports. Streamlining of logistics processes and improved access to information are important aspects for customers importing, exporting or distributing their goods and we have invested in this new container tracking system to support this.

For our container customers in London and Grangemouth this new system will further assist businesses by providing self –service access to key information, assist in reducing time within their supply chain and manage just-in-time logistics by providing accurate, real-time status information about containers within our two ports. It is now very easy to find the answer to the question ‘what is the status of my box?”

The new container search system has been introduced as part of an overall business strategy for a more unified and consistent service across the Group. As part of their complementary IT strategy, Forth Ports have also recently transitioned their two container businesses onto a common and fully integrated Terminal Operating System in association with their long-term software vendor TCS.

Forth Ports have also created a new website with a comprehensive new solution providing a much clearer and more unified perspective on Forth Ports as a group, facilitating structured and easy access to specifics on their various Ports and associated services: forthports.co.uk

4 September 2019                             – ends –

A new name will take to the waters of the Forth and Tay estuaries this week with the official naming of Forth Ports’ brand-new survey vessel – the Forth King.

The nine-metre long vessel will complement Forth Ports’ existing survey vessel, the Calatria and will be used to survey water depths within and on the approaches to the company’s five ports in the River Forth and at the Port of Dundee on the River Tay. She will also monitor the depth of the shipping channels within both estuaries.

The name Forth King was chosen in commemoration of the Calatria’s coxswain, Dave King, who passed away in 2018. Her naming ceremony was carried out by Dave’s widow, Liz King (pictured), following the blessing of the vessel, which was carried out by the Port of Grangemouth’s chaplain, the Rev. Joe O’Donnell.

The Forth King has been fitted with the latest multibeam sonar equipment, which carries out bathymetric surveys which produce a 3D image of the riverbed, and with a Lidar (radar using laser beams) which can very accurately measure features such as quaysides above the water line. The new vessel is quieter, cheaper to operate and more environmentally friendly than preview survey vessels.

She will be based in the Port of Grangemouth but will be used throughout the River Forth and the River Tay and will also be made available to the operators of other waterways, canals and rivers elsewhere in Scotland.

Master of ceremonies at the naming event, which was attended by staff from Forth and Tay Navigation Service and from the Port of Grangemouth, was Chief Harbourmaster, Alan McPherson, who said: “It is fitting that the Forth King carries Dave’s name. He was a great loss to everyone who knew him and his love of the river lives on in our new survey vessel. The Forth King will expand our surveying capabilities, not just in terms of the locations it can go to but in the range of services it can provide.”

3 September 2019                  – ends –

The Port of Tilbury hosted the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. Sajid Javid MP, and the Home Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Priti Patel MP, today for an overview of its expanding operations – including a new port terminal, Tilbury2 – and its contingency planning for the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Construction at Tilbury2 by Graham Construction is underway on a site which was part of the former Tilbury Power Station. Once operational, in spring 2020, Tilbury2 will be home to the UK’s largest unaccompanied ferry port, operated by P&O Ferries, and the country’s biggest construction processing hub, with “Authorised Economic Operator” trusted trader status.

Tilbury has doubled the size of its business in the past 10 years and is projected to double the volume across the quay (from 16 million to 32 million tonnes) and triple the direct employment (from 3,500 to 12,000 jobs) over the next 10-15 years.

This growth is underpinned by the Port of Tilbury’s £1 billion investment programme, 2012-20, of which Tilbury2 is a central part. Tilbury2 will include a new rail and road connection, deep water jetty and pontoon, at a projected cost in excess of £200 million.

Expansion is needed to cope with rising demand for construction materials and aggregates from the UK’s building sector, imported and exported cars, as well as an increase in ferry traffic, which carries food, drink, finished products and other goods between Europe and the UK.

Sajid Javid MP, Chancellor, said: “Great to visit the Port of Tilbury with the Home Secretary and see how they’re preparing for Brexit. The £2.1bn no-deal funding I’ve announced today will accelerate preparations at the border, support business readiness and ensure the supply of critical medicines.”

“Tilbury2 will add much-needed European-facing ferry capacity at a crucial time for the UK economy,” commented Carole Cran, Chief Financial Officer of Forth Ports Group (owner of the Port of Tilbury), after hosting the Chancellor and the Home Secretary.

“In addition, our existing port infrastructure and experienced staff stand ready to flex in order to provide greater resilience to vital pan-European supply chains in preparation for the UK’s departure from the European Union, utilising the latest technology and streamlined border processes in support of continued market demand created by business growth.

“Tilbury2 is a significant part of the Port’s £1 billion investment strategy as we look to provide the next generation of logistics facilities to equip Britain to take advantage of new business opportunities and cement existing trading relationships.”

Ashley Nicholson from Forth Ports has been appointed Vice-President of the UK Harbour Masters Association. Ashley is the first female harbour master to hold the title and she is also the youngest certificated Harbour Master in the UK to hold the VP role with the UKMHA.

The UK Harbour Masters Association consists of harbour masters from ports across the UK, both publicly and privately owned and represents a unique source of relevant, experience in a range of port and marine operations. The main objective of the association, which was formed in 1993, is to encourage the safe and efficient conduct of marine operations in ports.

Ashley has worked for Forth Ports for nearly 12 years starting her career with the port group as VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) Operator and since 2017 she has been the Senior Harbour Master based in Leith. Ashley is the youngest certified Harbour Master in the UK. In 2016, Ashley won the prestigious Scottish Engineering / Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow Award for the role she played in managing the marine operations during the construction of the new Queensferry Crossing in the River Forth.

Commenting on her appointment, Ashley said: “I am honoured to have been voted in as Vice-President of the UKHMA. The association is well respected in the industry with its views being widely sought. I am looking forward to my playing my part at an important time for marine organisations.”

Martin Willis AFNI, Executive Officer of the UKHMA said: “We congratulate Ashley on her advancement to the position of Vice President of The United Kingdom Harbour Masters Association, a position fully achieved on merit and on appointment by her peers within the association. Ashley has proved to be a very capable individual who, for a number of years, has actively contributed to the executive council of the association and represents the association both regionally and nationally across the UK. We wish her all success in her new role.”

9 July 2019

The FPSO vessel the Curlew arrived into Dundee on 22 June where she will undergo cleaning and waste disposal in preparation for being fully decommissioned. The vessel is owned by Shell UK and the contractor is being undertaken by Augean North Sea Services located at the Port of Dundee.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports said: “We welcome the Shell Curlew into Dundee for the start of her decommissioning. This is a significant project for Augean and the port and clearly demonstrates the unrivalled capability of our infrastructure and the supply chain that we have developed in Dundee to take on these large-scale projects. Augean’s on site class leading waste management facility, coupled with our new heavy lift quayside and marine capability, is an attractive offering to the North Sea oil & gas decommissioning sector. The proximity to the skills base in Dundee along with our available land space and quayside makes Dundee the port of choice for large scale decommissioning in Scotland.”