In her first port visit of 2020, Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani MP has inspected the site of work to upgrade Roll-on/Roll-off facilities at Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe.

The works will allow the port to accommodate larger Ro/Ro vessels and improve the efficiency of vessel operations.

Commenting during the Minister’s visit to the port, Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Felixstowe and Executive Director of Hutchison Ports, said:

“Roll-on/Roll-off is an important component of the port’s business. With three sailings per day to Vlaardingen in Rotterdam we provide a vital connection to North Europe for UK importers and exporters. The port is already Brexit-ready and the improvements that we are starting today, coupled with additional trailer parking that has already been completed, will enhance capacity, capability and performance for Ro/Ro traffic at Felixstowe.

“As well as improving our facilities for Ro/Ro traffic we are continuing to upgrade our containerised capability and are ready to cater for increases in trade with the rest of the world as a result of new trade deals struck following our exit from the EU.”

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and local MP, the Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP, said:

“It was great to welcome the Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani, to the Port of Felixstowe as work to enhance the roll on/roll off capacity gets underway. Direct ministerial support and contact is really important to help my work as MP for Suffolk Coastal and for the ongoing success of Felixstowe Port.”

The works, which are due to be completed before the end of the Brexit transition period, include the lengthening of the ports No.3 Ro/Ro berth and the replacement of the current hydraulic ramp at No.4 Ro/Ro berth with a larger floating linkspan.

Whilst at the port the Minister also saw the new Ro/Ro trailer storage area created with support from Department for Transport Port Infrastructure Resilience and Connectivity funding and held discussions with Hutchison Ports’ senior management on a range of discussions including the Women in Maritime initiative and development of the port’s 5G network.