Maritime Transport has signed a long-term agreement with Associated British Ports (ABP) to operate a six-acre loaded container storage facility at the Port of Ipswich, in a move aimed at meeting growing customer demand for container storage.
Maritime offers container transport, domestic distribution, cargo handling, warehousing and off dock laden and empty storage, as well as freight forwarding and truck repairs. It currently operates a fleet of over 2,000 trucks and 3,000 trailers from 40 UK depots.
The Ipswich Port facility, which is located off dock at West Bank Terminal, will provide space for up to 2,500 TEU, increasing overall container storage capacity across Maritime’s network by 12%.
The depot will be fully operational from 1 May 2022, and joins another seven strategically-placed container terminals that Maritime operates providing either long or short-term storage for both loaded and empty containers.
These sites include its rail-connected terminals in Manchester, Mossend, Tamworth, Wakefield, Tilbury and Castle Donnington, an offsite storage facility in Northampton, and a new storage yard currently under construction at the Port of Liverpool scheduled for completion in November 2022.
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Two Kalmar reach stackers will be installed onsite to service container throughput. Both machines form part of an order for 12 new reach stackers which will be distributed across Maritime’s terminals this year to provide efficient and flexible loading and stacking of containers and other heavy goods. Two new SANY H9 reach stackers are scheduled to arrive at Maritime’s West Bank facility in July.
John Williams, Maritime Transport’s group executive chairman, said: “Establishing a six-acre storage depot for loaded containers at West Bank marks the beginning of a long-term and strategic partnership with ABP.
“It also demonstrates our determination to deliver additional off dock storage, which complements our growing network of inland rail terminals, and provides even greater choice to our customers on a port-centric basis.
“We look forward to supporting the activities of a Port that handles more than two million tonnes of cargo per year by maximising storage options, and making a significant contribution to local, national, and international supply chains.’
Andrew Harston, ABP Wales and short sea ports director, said ABP’s partnership with Maritime highlights the “huge demand” for port-centric storage solutions, and increasing interest from logistics firms in basing storage facilities at the Port of Ipswich.
He added: “ABP will continue to provide superbly connected space and the infrastructure to support our customers as they grow, and we are confident many, many businesses will maximise on this fantastic opportunity."
