ABP Southampton in £4.3M project

Southampton is the UK’s number one export port and primary automotive port, handling 900,000 cars every year.

This project, costing £4.3M, is part of an ongoing programme of investment in infrastructure and quayside facilities to ensure the Port of Southampton keeps Britain trading. The former Vessel Traffic Service building (pictured left), historically a prominent feature in the port’s skyline, is being taken down along with a dry goods storage shed in the Eastern Docks.

The space generated will play a critical role in the movement and trade of high and heavy ro-ro cargoes - typically exports of farm, construction or specialist machinery and vehicles.

Once the work is complete, the largest car carriers) in the world will be able to berth in this newly-created space, generating further opportunities for international trade.

ABP’s Regional Director for Southampton, Alastair Welch, said: “Continued investment around the port is essential and ensures that we stay one step ahead of adapting to our customers’ growing and changing needs.

Staying with the ro-ro theme, Ports of Stockholm AB (SHAB) and Viking Line have jointly invested in a new cargo expedition building for Viking Line’s cargo traffic. This will enable more efficient cargo management, facilitate the forwarding of rolling goods, and make things easier for haulage vehicle drivers.

“Viking Line is one of our most long-term and largest customers," said Johan Wallén, Sales and Marketing Manager at Ports of Stockholm. "It is extremely gratifying to have the possibility to improve our mutual product and jointly work to make operations more efficient."

The new cargo expedition building is ready for use and will replace the previous Viking Line cargo building, which will be removed to give more storage and parking space for rolling goods, trucks and haulage vehicles. The building has robust walls and ceilings for sound-insulation from the noise of the port traffic and to create a good working environment for the personnel. Large glass expanses give the personnel a good overview of operations at the port.