A number of recent ABP investments in infrastructure and port handling equipment have helped secure this new contract. These include the construction of the port’s new £2.2M Bute agribulk terminal, as well as new cranes and improvements to shoreside infrastructure.

Andrew Mackay [left in picture] CEO Cefetra Ltd, said: “We are pleased to announce that we will be expanding our operations in Scotland by adding the Port of Ayr as a location. This will enable us to offer our customers in the South West of Scotland a local port to source some of their key raw materials.

“We appreciate the effort and commitment that ABP has shown to Scottish Agriculture by agreeing to provide a first-class, purpose-built, facility that meets all the industry standards and that will allow Cefetra to provide the efficient supply of key raw materials to our customers in the South West of Scotland.”

Built by 3b Construction, a Scottish, family-owned company, the new terminal offers 4,000 m2 of storage space.

The new deal will also result in an increase in the volumes of animal feed and foodstuffs passing through the port, which will in turn help support South West Scotland’s growing agricultural sector. Currently, the port supports a growing number of customers from the Scottish agricultural sector and it plays an important role in supporting the region’s economy.

Stuart Cresswell [right in picture], ABP’s Port Manager at Ayr and Troon, said: “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Cefetra with this new deal, which represents one of the most significant developments at the port for many years. The development also helps to cement the growing role that the Port of Ayr has been playing in supporting South West Scotland’s farming community.”