SCA, Europe’s largest private forest owner and producer of wood products, packaging paper, pulp and renewable energy, will return on a long-term deal to market leading UK Paper Hub* located at London’s major port, the Port of Tilbury. The 50-acre facility on the Thames will become SCA’s primary UK logistics hub for the import of packaging materials to supply their UK customers.

Sweden based SCA, are a major European logistics supplier – calling at terminals including Umea, Sundsvall, Helsingborg, Oxelösund, Malmo, Iggesund and Kiel – and will see substantial volumes of packaging paper and other third-party cargoes regularly transported by their own Ro-Ro vessels from Sweden to the UK Paper Hubs’ dedicated berths.

SCA’s packaging materials will be used by customers in the UK for ecommerce, industrial and food packaging as well as many other retail packaging solutions – all contributing to the UK’s growing demand for renewable packaging materials.

Helping to keep global and domestic markets moving, UK Paper Hub will also assist SCA’s circular supply chain with the export of RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel), supporting circular economy and energy from waste solutions across Sweden.

Commenting on the new contract for Tilbury, Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director said: “This is exciting news for the UK Paper Hub as we secure another market leader in the paper, packaging and forest products market. We warmly welcome SCA back to Tilbury and look forward to working collaboratively to ensure a world class, flexible, end to end service for their UK customers.

As the paper and forest product port for the future, we are focussing on making a real contribution to the environment and net zero targets by reducing all forms of waste within the paper and forest products supply chain. Through our location and connections, we offer unrivalled opportunities at our all-in-one facility.”

Steve Harley, Managing Director for SCA UK Logistics added, “2022 will mark our return to the Port of Tilbury. The move renews a long-standing relationship between SCA and Forth Ports which spans half a century. Ensuring that the logistics chain is as efficient as possible is our utmost concern and our Tilbury operation will align our shipping, warehousing and distribution activities with our customers’ geographical spread and service requirements. We look forward to a productive cooperation with the Forth Ports team.”

* UK Paper Hub is the collective brand covering Tilbury’s handling, storage and distribution services for paper and related forest products (including graphical papers and newsprint, packaging paper and board, tissue and hygiene products, and pulp). The brand brings together the expertise and facilities of the paper handling terminals, previously known as Enterprise Distribution Centre (EDC) and London Paper Terminal (LPT), which the port owns and operates.

The UK Paper Hub can handle paper and forest products in any form, any quantity using any method of shipping or distribution, both short sea and deep sea. The Hub has access to a nationwide haulage network and connects the UK’s domestic industries with markets across the globe. Tilbury’s newest port, Tilbury2, opened in May 2020 and along with London Container Terminal, offers the Hub further connections and capacity for customers. https://ukpaperhub.forthports.co.uk/

19 May 2021                  – ends-

Forth Ports, the UK’s third largest ports group, has appointed a new Group HR Manager and Group Financial Controller at an important time for the business which continues to invest significantly in its infrastructure, people and skills across its UK operations.

Michelle Primrose has joined as Group HR Manager and Matt McCreath has been appointed as Group Financial Controller. Both Michelle and Matt joined the Group in April.

Michelle is a highly experienced HR professional with previous roles with leading businesses including BAE Systems, Balfour Beatty, AECOM and Sainsbury’s. Michelle is a chartered MCIPD with experience in the delivery of successful people-focused HR strategies and also of supporting a large workforce during a period of change and growth. Michelle joins the senior management team, reporting to the Group Chief Executive, Charles Hammond. and will be based in the Port of Grangemouth with responsibility for HR across the Group’s eight ports.

Matt is a qualified chartered accountant and has worked in senior management roles for a variety of well-respected global businesses, most recently John Menzies plc and previously Macdonald Hotels and KMPG. Matt joins the senior management team, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, Carole Cran, and will be based in the Group’s HQ at the Port of Leith.

Commenting on the appointments, Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive, said: “We warmly welcome Michelle and Matt to our management team. This is an exciting time for the business as we continue our multimillion-pound investment programme across the Group to deliver for our customers and their future needs as well as investing in our highly skilled workforce. We pride ourselves in our excellent training and skills development programmes that we deliver through our bespoke onsite training academies in Grangemouth and Tilbury.

 “Both Michelle’s and Matt’s experience will contribute significantly to the delivery of our strategic plans.”

Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable construction solutions business, has committed to a 25-year partnership with the Port of Tilbury, London’s fastest-growing port, to build the UK’s largest construction materials aggregates terminal.

The long-term agreement follows a £250 million pound investment made by Forth Ports at Tilbury2, the UK’s newest port. The facility is a purpose-built aggregate processing and manufacturing facility, strategically located to serve London and the South East, with multimodal connectivity.

The terminal will use the very latest technology and be capable of discharging the world’s largest deep-sea vessels. The riverside location combined with a dedicated railhead means efficient delivery of construction materials into Central London without the use of heavy road haulage, supporting Tarmac’s commitment to reducing emissions and creating a safer environment for other road users.

Peter Buckley, senior vice president, Tarmac, said: “Construction materials have a critical role to play in helping deliver the major infrastructure and construction projects which are supporting the UK’s economic recovery and long-term development.

“Our agreement with Forth Ports underlines a continued focus by Tarmac to develop industry leading facilities which will support these schemes, with the Build Back Better agenda and a clear commitment to driving sustainability and enhanced efficiencies.”

Mark Wood, regional managing director, materials south at Tarmac, said:

“We’re delighted to have established a long-term partnership with Forth Ports. The development of the new construction terminal demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the long-lasting security of high-quality aggregate supplies into London and the South East.

“Using the Thames and local rail network as a means of transporting vital materials to support the region’s infrastructure ambitions, not only removes vehicles from already congested roads around the capital but supports our customers with the delivery of a more sustainable built environment.

“We look forward to the official opening of the terminal and building on our relationship with Forth Ports over the coming years.”

Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, owners of the Port of Tilbury, said:

“This is an exciting time for Tilbury2 as we sign a significant, long term agreement with Tarmac to create the UK’s largest construction materials terminal. This facility will be a game changer in the coronavirus economic recovery campaign to Build Back Better and is a good example of high productivity investment adding value to raw materials.  I am pleased that the signing of this agreement comes at the same time as we have been awarded Freeport status, which will bring further investment and jobs to the area.”

Peter Ward, Commercial Director at the Port of Tilbury, said:

“We warmly welcome Tarmac to Tilbury2. This new terminal will be truly multimodal, and this strategic location will ensure that the construction industry in London and the South East of England can have fast access to the materials they require.”

15^th April 2021                                            – ends –

Onlookers on both the north and south banks of the Forth Estuary were treated to a spectacular this weekend as one of the most remarkable marine operations ever undertaken on the river unfolded before their eyes.

In an operation spanning two days, Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit – at 382 metres long and 124 metres wide, the largest construction vessel in the world – transferred its huge cargo of a topside drilling platform onto the 200 metre long cargo barge, the Iron Lady, on Saturday. The following morning the Pioneering Spirit, which was specifically designed for the single-lift installation and removal of large offshore platforms, separated from the Iron Lady and the cargo barge was towed clear. The Pioneering Spirit then set off once more for the North Sea.

With its cargo safely secured to its deck, the Iron Lady was then towed westwards along the River Forth by Forth Ports’ tugs, the Craigleith, Inchcolm and Fidra in a carefully planned operation to ensure the structure had sufficient clearance to transit below the iconic Forth Bridge, then the Forth Road Bridge and finally under the Queensferry Crossing before berthing alongside at the Port of Rosyth. It is scheduled to remain moored at the Port of Rosyth for around six weeks before being towed back east along the river to the Energy Park Fife in Methil where its cargo will be unloaded for decommissioning.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports, said:

“It was a truly spectacular sight to see this huge vessel offloading its cargo within our deep water on the River Forth. Watching the Iron Lady towed safely into the Port of Rosyth by our tugs against the backdrop of all three Forth crossings was a bit special too.

“However, we can expect to see sights like these more and more frequently as oil and gas decommissioning projects from the North Sea and elsewhere gather momentum. The Forth Estuary’s deep and sheltered water, alongside the decommissioning facilities on both the River Forth and River Tay, make this an ideal location for operations like this weekend’s.”

Ends                                                                                                               11^th April, 2021

Local people on both sides of the Forth Estuary between Kirkcaldy and Largo Bay on the north shore and Aberlady and Gullane Bay on the south bank are expected to be treated to the sight of a major marine operation taking place in the river commencing on Saturday evening (10^th April) and completing on Sunday (11^th April) – subject to weather conditions.

Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit, the largest construction vessel in the world, is scheduled to transfer its cargo of a topside drilling platform to the 200 metre long cargo barge, Iron Lady, on Saturday evening. The Pioneering Spirit is 382 metres long and 124 metres wide and was specifically designed for the single-lift installation and removal of large offshore platforms. The vessel has a lift capacity of 48,000 tonnes.

The following morning, the Iron Lady and its cargo will disengage from the Pioneering Spirit and will be towed by Forth Ports’ tugs, the Craigleith, Inchcolm and Fidra, under all three Forth crossings to the Port of Rosyth. The Iron Lady will be moored at the Port of Rosyth for approximately six weeks, after which it is scheduled depart for the Energy Park Fife in Methil where its cargo will be unloaded prior to its decommissioning.

Please note that this operation and all timings are subject to weather conditions and, should poor weather prevent the operation taking place, it will be rescheduled for the next appropriate day.

Ends                                                                                                               9^th April, 2021

A wildlife area created in 2014 by The Port of Tilbury, as part of the development of London Distribution Park, has seen a rise in key insect and invertebrate species according to a new monitoring study.

The habitat site, which in 2019 was recognised as of national importance for insects and other invertebrates, was created seven years ago by spreading chalk slurry over an area equivalent to six football pitches on the bare surface of a former landfill, and then placing ‘dunes’ (made from waste fly ash) and chalk bunds on the top. It was then left to develop.

Some of the interesting insects and invertebrates found by the latest study, which was conducted by one of the foremost invertebrate surveyors in Britain in conjunction with ecology experts Bioscan, include striking species such as:

• the Bombardier Beetle Brachinus crepitans, a beetle with a secret weapon: its rear end acts a chemical reactor and creates explosions to defend itself and ward off predators;
• the Pantaloon Bee Dasypoda hirtipes, which sports large pollen baskets on the hind legs, akin to a costume of fluffy yellow pantaloons; and
• the Six-belted Clearwing Bembecia ichneumoniformis, a day-flying moth which resembles a wasp as an act of protective mimicry;

All of these are nationally scarce species which favour this particular area of South Essex. The Wildlife site sounds its own success, from different insect densities and activity levels the buzzing can sometimes be amplified to an over-powering hum.

Previous surveys undertaken in 2018 found that the new habitats created at Mucking already supported a proportionally higher number of rare and scarce invertebrate species than had been found at the LDP site prior to development, and the most recent report concluded that the new habitat “continues to support a remarkable richness and abundance of invertebrates and is habitat of very high conservation importance for invertebrates”.

 Commenting on the results, John Speakman, Snr Asset Manager for Property at Port of Tilbury, said: “Port of Tilbury takes its responsibilities as a developer seriously. This is further confirmed through the results of this study clearly showing that, working with our advisers at Bioscan, this habitat, is now an important nature area for creatures.

 In an area that is predominately industrial, it is pleasing to see this ‘urban meadow’ thriving. Through our partnership with landowners and ecology experts, we have collectively delivered on our environmental objectives when we developed the London Distribution Park.”

 Dominic Woodfield, Managing Director at Bioscan UK Limited, said:

“One of the best parts of my job is seeing habitat creation theory become practice, and the LDP compensation area at Mucking landfill is a fantastic example of how nature will thrive if you give it the right building blocks and the time to do so. From the very beginning, the Port of Tilbury have been fully invested in seeing this project achieve fruition, and the success shown by the invertebrate monitoring is just reward for their commitment to corporate responsibility.”

Ecologists will monitor the site again in five years, with the scheduled intervals between monitoring becoming longer as the habitats become established. However, with the positive trajectory set thus far, expectations are for the discovery of more exciting finds by our surveyors in 2025. as the initial study has been so successful the report recommends creating additional invertebrate habitats at Mucking – a scheme that is now well underway to offset the impacts from the Tilbury 2 development on the site of the former Tilbury Power Station.

Bioscan UK Limited designed the wildlife area on behalf of the Port of Tilbury.

 Ends                                                                                                   30 March 2021

The two ports which make up Thames Freeport received more new enquiries from businesses looking to relocate to the site this month than at any point in the last decade, following the shortlisting of the bid by the Government on 3 March.

After declaring that Thames Freeport is “open-for-business” to fast forward the economic recovery from the pandemic, enquiries at London Gateway and the Port of Tilbury have ranged from fresh space for industrial processes, manufacturing and logistics centres to electrification hubs, innovation incubators and support services as businesses look to utilise the development-ready, low tax and pro-trade platform.

Thames Freeport is a digitally linked economic zone connecting Ford’s world-class Dagenham engine plant, the global ports at London Gateway and Tilbury, and many communities in urgent need of ‘levelling-up’.  Businesses looking to expand are being urged to take advantage of the tax benefits of relocating to the Freeport and being part of a customs zone, which will enable the businesses to continue to have low friction trade processes with the EU and global markets.  The Freeport will be a centre of excellence for the country as we electrify, automate and digitise our future.

Government freeport policy objectives are to establish national hubs for global trade and investment; regenerate and levelling up areas of need; and create hotbeds of innovation.

Alan Shaoul, Chief Financial Officer at DP World in the UK (owner of the port and logistics park, London Gateway), commented: “We have seen a surge of interest in the last four weeks from businesses who want to understand more about the benefits of locating or expanding at Thames Freeport as the economy continues to recover briskly from the pandemic.

“Our London Gateway site alone has almost 10m square feet of land that has planning consent.  This oven-ready land means that we have the capacity to expand our operational area, and therefore attract new foreign direct investment, within months not years.”

“We’ve made an early commitment across the Thames Freeport sites backed by substantial investment to ensure our facilities and development areas are ripe for fresh business growth opportunities,” commented Stuart Wallace, Chief Operating Officer at Forth Ports (owner of the Port of Tilbury and Tilbury2).

He added: “Our sites provide first-class global and domestic connections for businesses looking to site their activities at the heart of Europe’s biggest consumer market and a resurgent industrial cluster to develop low carbon logistics solutions.”

Over the coming months and ahead of the awarding of a licence to operate in Q4 2021, the Thames Freeport partnership will be working with the Government, Thurrock Council, Barking and Dagenham Council, the South East LEP, the Thames Estuary Growth Board, the Port of London Authority and other partners to work up an outline business case for a range of activities to be delivered in the first five years of operation and beyond. These range from multi-million pound

infrastructure improvements and a range of programmes covering innovation, skills development, digital connectivity, low carbon solutions and the hydrogen economy.

See the Thames Freeport website / Twitter / LinkedIn pages for more information.

Major building work is underway at the UK’s largest grain terminal at the Port of Tilbury following a fire* in 2020 which damaged its grain silos.

The Tilbury Grain terminal has been in operation for over 50 years and is a key strategic facility in the South East of the UK for the grain import and export markets handling over 2million tonnes of product from around the world. Grain is a key commodity in the UK food supply chain for a number of uses, most notably within the flour milling and bakery industries.

Demolition of the damaged concrete silos is underway and, at the same time, construction of phase one of metal silos is underway with the first three new silos having been constructed. The new silos, both phase one and phase two which will see the reconstruction of the concrete silos, will come online in stages. Phase one is expected to return 20,000 metric tonnes of capacity in early 2022 and the remaining 34,000 m/t of storage will be restored in 2023. These will all be constructed to the highest health and safety standards and will be industry leading.

Peter Ward, Commercial Director at The Port of Tilbury said: “The grain terminal is a vital asset at The Port of Tilbury and plays a major role in supplying businesses with the grain needed to support their brands. Following the fire last summer, we worked hard to ensure there was limited interruption to customer service and now with the new silos being constructed, we can be confident that the new facility will set the highest industry standards for silo construction. In the meantime, we want to extend our thanks to our customer base for the loyalty and support they have shown us through what has been a difficult period.” 

During these works there will be no interruption to customer service as the terminal remains fully open for import and exports and once complete, the terminal will be restored to its full storage capacity of 135,000 m/t and continue to benefit from the full multimodal services at the port including river barge transportation into central London.

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 supporting the flour and ingredient market for the southeast, London and up to the Midlands. Its riverside 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. 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.

*The fire at the grain terminal was in July 2020 and damaged the silo tower and some other equipment. Investigations are still continuing into the cause of this fire. No one was injured.

25 March 2021                               -ends-

The Port of Grangemouth has completed and opened a multimillion-pound rail freight hub with the arrival DRS’s Aberdeen freight train service. [see images attached with this release].

The new rail freight hub at Scotland’s largest port, saw an investment of £3million and with this increased capacity, it further secures its position as the key strategic freight and export/import hub for Scotland with a direct link to the port’s busy container terminal.

The new dual rail siding of 775 metres – previously 200 metres – can handle the longest freight trains on the UK network and is the first rail freight terminal to offer this and provide enhanced container / domestic intermodal options. This is of particular benefit for customers in the food, drink and perishables sectors across the Scottish freight community.

Commenting on the opening, Derek Knox, Senior Port Manager at The Port of Grangemouth said: “The opening of our new freight rail hub comes at an important time for the freight market as businesses are seeking flexible, resilient, and greener supply chain solutions. At the Port of Grangemouth we have the unrivalled position of being truly interconnected for sea to rail and rail to sea, with the added flexibility of direct road access into Central Scotland and beyond.

 We have invested over £30million in infrastructure and equipment over the past five years at the port and this new rail offering combined with our established port operations and streamlined customs processes creates a unique solution for our existing and future customers.” 

 Chris Connelly, Deputy CEO and Rail Director of NTS which operates Direct Rail Services, said: “This is fantastic news and this investment demonstrates the vital role rail freight plays in our economy and its importance in ensuring goods reach supermarkets quickly and reliably. Rail freight reduces carbon emissions by 76 per cent compared to road and this new siding will allow even longer, heavier trains, further increasing their environmental credentials and meaning fewer lorries on our roads.”

The Port of Grangemouth has on-site distribution warehouses with cross docking possibilities and is within a few miles of the main supermarket distribution centres within Central Scotland.  Grangemouth’s key strategic location in Scotland allows customers to take advantage of the excellent road, rail and shipping network that the port offers. Existing services link Grangemouth and its sister port in Tilbury on the Thames with a connection through Daventry.

11 March 2021                                               -Ends-