Humber bulk terminal bought by port giant Peel as it secures South Bank operation
Peel Ports Group has swooped for a bulk terminal on the Humber, completing the deal with Dutch-based HES International. The New Holland operation is located at the former Victorian ferry pier that once provided the only public crossing to Hull. It has been expanded to feature 275,000 sq m of storage with an automated conveyor-fed import and export system in recent years, with a further 6,000 sq m outside storage land-side. It is an eighth location for UK operator Peel, and first in the region, and will be operated by its Peel Ports Logistics division, joining activity in the North West, at Runcorn and Ellesmere Port. Read next: Humber's freeport status could be declared in days Claudio Veritiero, chief executive of Peel Ports Group, said: “The acquisition of HES Humber Bulk Terminal is an important investment for Peel Ports Group, expanding our presence into the East of England and bringing Peel Ports Logistics’ ‘one-stop shop’ service to the East Coast. “The modern facilities at HES Humber Bulk Terminal guarantee fast and efficient loading and unloading of vessels and trucks, while the excellent water and road connections enable quick and smooth operations. This, combined with trans-shipment and extensive storage capabilities, will make the site a key addition to Peel Ports Logistics, helping us to deliver efficient and cost-effective port services for our customers.” HES Humber Bulk Terminal, operated since 1983, and previously known as New Holland Bulk Services, employs 29 people, all of whom will be retained as part of the deal Peel Ports Logistics is led by managing director Sebastian Gardiner. It covers industries including agriculture, construction and energy. Cees van Gent, chief executive of Rotterdam-based HES International, said: “We would sincerely like to thank all terminal employees for their ongoing commitment and valuable contribution to the company. Peel Ports has a long and outstanding history in the safe handling of cargo from across the globe and plays an integral role in customer supply chains. “They are a reputable market player in the UK and we are confident that they will support HES Humber Bulk Terminal to build on its successful history. Proceeds from the sale will be reinvested in energy transition-related projects that are pivotal for the long-term, sustainable growth and transformation of HES.” With much of the passenger terminus infrastructure remaining, it had been the only UK operation in a portfolio of European sites across eight countries. The terminal, with three berths and a capacity of vessels up to 6,000 DWT, joins the ports of Liverpool, Heysham, Manchester Ship Canal, London Medway, Clydeport, Great Yarmouth and a container terminal in Dublin as part of the Peel Ports Group.
Derby picked as Great British Railways home
Derby has been picked as the home of new government rail operator Great British Railways. The city – which sits at the heart of the UK rail network and has a long tradition of rail engineering – was announced as the operating base of the new public sector body today. Derby had been vying for the spot alongside Birmingham, Crewe, Doncaster, Newcastle and York, which also have rich rail engineering heritages. The Government has said it wants Great British Railways to deliver the most ambitious changes to the rail system in a generation, and announced in 2021 that the headquarters would be outside the capital. After decades of disjointed fragmentation, it will absorb state-owned infrastructure management company Network Rail and issue contracts to private companies to run trains. The city council says that Derby has had one of the lowest concentrations of civil service jobs in the country, and the decision will not only bring key jobs into the city but a strategic government operation. Rail services have been crippled in recent months and years by underinvestment, rising ticket prices, strike action from disgruntled workers and operators failing to work together to offer passengers good deals. Derby’s bid had the backing of councils across the East Midlands including Derby, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Leicester and Leicestershire, representing over three million people from across the region. East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles said: “This is fantastic news for Derby, cementing the city’s position as a national centre of the rail industry while delivering a huge boost to the local economy. “Derby and the rail industry go hand-in-hand, with a 200-year legacy as the centre of UK rail remaining highly relevant today as the home of the country’s largest train factory, alongside the many small businesses in the supply chain that have established one of Europe’s largest rail clusters. “Bringing the Great British Railways headquarters to Derby builds on this expertise, further developing the skillsets from its industrial heritage and shines a spotlight on the city’s economic strengths. “When combined with other exciting regional projects such as the East Midlands Freeport, this will help to attract new investment from companies that may wish to be located near a national centre of excellence and create jobs for these skills to thrive – benefits that will be felt across the wider region and all relevant to the Government’s levelling up agenda.” Maria Machancoses, chief executive of Midlands Connect – the transport partner of the Midlands Engine – said: “It is an excellent choice. Derby is right in the heart of the country and is home to the greatest cluster of rail sector businesses in the UK and indeed Europe making it a perfect location for the home of GBR. “Investing in Derby is therefore a clear vote of confidence for the rail industry bringing a host of job opportunities to the region and we look forward to working together with GBR on our plans, including the Midlands Rail Hub.” Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Among an exceptional list of shortlisted applicants, Derby scored highest in the expression of interest stage of the competition, which analysed its suitability against six published criteria: levelling up, connectivity, opportunities for GBR, value for money, heritage and public support. “It also scored highest in the six-week public vote, attracting 45,600 votes, more than 5,000 ahead of the second placed location in a total vote of 205,000. “Derby will become the heart of Great Britain’s rail industry, bringing together track and train, as well as revenue and cost.
Re-opened Dartmoor rail line passes 250,000 journeys in its first year
Journey numbers on the Dartmoor Line have passed 250,000 a year after re-opening to regular passenger trains. The line reopened on 20 November 2021, restoring a regular, year-round service for the first time in almost 50 years following more than £40m of Government investment. The previously mothballed rail line, which runs between Okehampton and Exeter, was restored in just nine months and was the the first former line to reopen under the Government’s £500m Restoring Your Railway programme. In the same week as it celebrated its one-year anniversary, the Dartmoor Line also saw its 250,000 journey, more than double the demand originally forecast. Michelle Handforth, Network Rail’s Wales and Western regional managing director, said: “I am so pleased with the positive impact the Dartmoor Line is having on supporting greater connectivity, boosting local businesses, the tourism sector, and providing greater access to education and work for the thousands of people who live locally." READ NEXT: List of 35 new train stations and wish list schemes leading the UK railway upgrade Reinstatement of the Dartmoor Line was made possible by Network Rail’s team of engineers which laid 11 miles of new track and installed 24,000 concrete sleepers and 29,000 tonnes of ballast in a record-breaking 20-day period. Since Great Western Railway (GWR) increased services to hourly in May 2022, passenger use has continued to rise, with over 500 journeys starting at Okehampton every day and a further 300 travelling into the town from across the rail network. Rail Minister, Huw Merriman MP, unveiled a plaque to mark the official reopening of the Okehampton station building to mark the anniversary. He said: “With over 250,000 journeys made, restoring this vital route has undone 50 years of damage – we’ve reconnected a community and created new opportunities for jobs, tourism, education and leisure. “Our Restoring Your Railway programme is making a real contribution to levelling up the country and breathing new life into previously cut-off areas.” On his visit, Mr Merriman opened the fully refurbished station building, featuring The Bulleid Buffet café, Dartmoor National Park information centre, shop, toilets, heritage-style waiting room and museum. While the work to finish the Dartmoor Line is now complete, efforts are still being made to provide better connections from the Dartmoor Line, to surrounding towns and communities. Hannah Baker, Andrew Arthur and Hannah Finch cover all the latest business news from across the South West on our dedicated page - you can read more here. And to get the latest stories you can: Devon County Council and local bus operators have worked with Great Western Railway to provide better bus links to Tavistock, seven days a week direct from Okehampton station. This now also includes new routes to Launceston and Bude which run direct to the station. Mel Stride, Central Devon MP said the plan now is to secure additional funds for a second station on the eastern edge of town. "[This is] something I am working closely with local councillors and campaigners to achieve. This will maximise the economic benefit and reduce congestion in the town." READ NEXT: Latest appointments and jobs news from the South West
Ryanair announce new flight route to Milan from Belfast International Airport
Ryanair has announced a new flight route operating from Belfast International Airport as part of its Summer '23 schedule. The budget airline will be increasing its offering in Northern Ireland with a new service to Milan Bergamo Airport. It will operate three times weekly from April with seats already on sale for the new route. Ryanair’s Dara Brady said: “With Easter and Summer ‘23 fast approaching, we are delighted to be bringing even more choice and value to our Northern Ireland customers with the addition of this new Milan Bergamo route to our Summer ‘23 schedule, offering our customers in Belfast even more choice when planning their long-awaited summer holidays. "To mark this good news, we’ve launched a limited-time seat sale for early bird customers looking to bag themselves a bargain on their Summer ’23 holiday with fares from just £29.99 available now on Ryanair.com.” Last year, Ryanair announced its return to Belfast with 12 new flight routes - running 115 flights a week from Summer 2023. Revealing their ‘comeback’ last July, Ryanair said the International routes include sun destinations such as Alicante, Faro, Barcelona-Girona and Malaga.
RWE appoints contractor for multi-million pound new Grimsby Hub
Offshore wind giant RWE has appointed the contractor to deliver its new multi-million pound Grimsby Hub. The company is to extend its existing Triton Knoll base at the town’s Royal Dock, adding a centralised control room from where it will oversee the majority of the UK portfolio, creating 70 new jobs. It comes with construction underway on the next wind farm to be served from the port, Sofia, and an agreement for lease signed with The Crown Estate on the Dogger Bank South dual developments. RWE has turned to Hobson & Porter, the Hull-based firm behind neighbouring Orsted’s East Coast Hub, to deliver the state-of-the-art multi-million pound site. Read more:Hornsea Three offshore wind farm could be put on hold as costs soar The move is described as helping to cement Grimsby’s role as a leading location for the UK’s offshore wind sector, having announced the decision to focus on the cluster in 2021. It was chosen because of its proximity to existing and future projects and its deep-water quayside, which is suited to the use of service operations vessels. Construction is due to start shortly and will take around a year to complete. Alongside a joint control room offering 24/7 monitoring of multiple sites, new shared office space, and separate warehouse facilities will be delivered, with a total of 140 people employed. Guy Middleton, RWE’s general manager for the Grimsby Hub said: “We are thrilled to have Hobson &Porter on board to complete the extensive construction works required to extend the existing Triton Knoll facilities. It is great to have been able to award the contract to a local firm which brings a wealth of experience to the project. We can’t wait for construction to finish and provide even more locally based, skilled jobs for the region.” Hobson & Porter was selected through a tender process. North East-based Tolent, a high profile recent collapse, had been behind the original 2019 build. It was delivering the RNLI station at Cleethorpes before being plunged into administration last month. Fellow North East firm Brims Construction is in the process of taking work on. Hobson & Porter, a 120-strong £45.7 million turnover operation, is described by RWE as sharing a lot of the same principles as RWE, with being community focused, environmentally proactive, with a longstanding commitment to develop skills and training flagged. Joe Booth, business development director for the 44-year-old Malmo Road business, said: “We are delighted to be working with RWE on this exciting project and continuing our strong affiliation with both the Humber-based offshore wind industry and the town of Grimsby. This project will take our business revenues from the offshore wind industry beyond £25 million in recent years having previously delivered the adjacent East Coast Hub for Orsted and the Aura Innovation Centre in Hessle for The University of Hull; plus a number of other smaller projects. “For a local, family-owned business like ours, this is testament to the vast array of business opportunities the offshore wind sector is creating for local businesses.”
Humber's pulling power boosted by latest tug additions
Two new tugboats have been added to the Humber fleet of SMS Towage. The Hessle-based maritime firm has invested once more to replace older, less efficient vessels, bringing further capability in the handling of bulk carriers and super tankers. Trueman and Kingsman, Ramparts 2200 class sister tugs, each boast two Caterpillar 1,500kw diesel engines, and will be deployed to manoeuvre the large estuary arrivals onto the jetties and terminals at Hull and Immingham. Read more: Grimsby cold storage giants to unite as HSH swoops for ACS&T in £16.5m deal Paul Escreet, chairman of SMS Towage, said: “For many years, the Humber Estuary has been the busiest trading area in the UK. It has a fast and powerful tide and so there needs to be a fleet of powerful tugs available to ensure that vessels are able to manoeuvre and berth safely. “This latest investment in our fleet means we can provide our loyal customers with more modern and environmentally friendly tugs at the Humber ports, strengthening the existing fleet to meet our specific operational needs.” SMS, launched 30 years ago, is the UK’s largest independent towage company, providing berthing support and assistance to the North Sea offshore oil and renewable energy sector. It has again turned to the Turkish Sanmar Shipyards, from where it welcomed the fleet’s 20th vessel a year ago. Prior to puchase they had been part of Sanmar's own fleet. Based on a design by Canadian naval architectural practice Robert Allen Ltd, they are 22.4m long, with a 10.8m beam and 4.85m draft. Both can achieve bollard pulls of 52 tons ahead and 49 tons astern, with a free running speed of 11.5 knots. The tugs’ tank capacities include approximately 72 sq m of fuel oil, 10.8 sq m of fresh water and a 2.4 sq m foam tank. A fire-fighting pump is driven through clutched flexible coupling in front of each main engine with a capacity of 1,200m3/hour. The company has now supplied 14 vessels, since the Scotsman in 2008. Ruchan Civgin, commercial director at Sanmar Shipyards, said: “We have had a long term, mutually beneficial relationship with our friends at SMS Towage and we are delighted that we can once again provide them with the type of tugboats that fit their successful business’s specific operational needs. Our popular Ramparts 2200 class tugs are compact, highly manoeuvrable workhorse tugs that get the job done time after time. Our relationship with SMS Towage goes back a long way, and it is always pleasing when they come back to us again and again when enhancing their tug fleet." SMS turned to Hull firm Andrew Jackson Solicitors to advise on the undisclosed deal, with Mr Escreet describing the shipping team as its “trusted advisors for such matters”. Rebecca Forder and Dominic Ward’s valuable help and advice was highlighted. Mr Ward, senior partner and head of the shipping and transport team, said: “We have worked with SMS Towage for over two decades and we are absolutely delighted to have been able to secure the vessels’ smooth transition into the UK registry, as SMS continues to go from strength to strength.”