Upturn in amount of cars, timber and frozen fish shifted at Grimsby port

GRIMSBY'S role as a vital port in its own right has been underlined – as a "significant upturn" in volumes is recorded for the first half of the year, with increased imports and new opportunities seized.

Major gains in traditional cargoes such as cars, timber and frozen fish, allied to the awesome potential for servicing the offshore wind farm industry, has buoyed those in the port office.

The past 12 months have seen major changes undertaken in the shadow of the iconic Dock Tower, with what was an easily accessed port now brought up to the requirements of international security legislation, with controlled access at the site. Land has also been cleared for port use.

Simon Brett, deputy port manager for Associated British Ports at Grimsby & Immingham – the UK's largest port complex by tonnage handled – said: "Business is now booming at the Port of Grimsby.

"In the first six months of this year we have witnessed a significant upturn in frozen fish imports, timber imports and general cargo handling by the port's stevedoring company and Freshney Cargo Services. The improving fortunes of the motor industry have resulted in Grimsby handling additional cars over and above 2009 levels, all of which provides a good basis for the second half of 2010."

Stating it was too early to put exact figures on the progress as the country looks to put the recession behind it, Mr Brett said the greatest prize was still to come.

"The most encouraging recent developments have been the acknowledgement by Crown Estates that Grimsby will be developed as the centre for offshore support services for the growing offshore wind industry," he said.

The closest port to the mouth of the Humber, quick access to the existing and planned wind farms is a major attraction to developers, where sailing time can incur big costs when it comes to moving teams of engineers. Grimsby is already a base for several companies serving the operational Lincs and Inner Dowsing farms off the coast of Skegness, providing a model that can be scaled up for the larger developments emerging in the Round Two and Round Three schemes.

Response has been encouraging from exhibitions attended.

"ABP has cleared a number of redundant buildings on the dock estate to enable these developments to take place, be it servicing and maintenance or getting personnel to and from the wind farms," said Mr Brett. "The reorganisation of the commercial docks has released more land for potential assembly activity too. New opportunities are actively being sought."

He added that business confidence was increasing in the area, with controlled access massively reducing fly tipping problems previously experienced.

Winston Phillips, managing director of Cosalt's recently launched Renewables Division, said: "We are fully supportive of any development in the docks area or elsewhere that would see Grimsby fulfilling its potential of being the premier operations and maintenance port for the offshore wind energy industry."

Mr Brett said ABP was waiting to hear from the Department for Transport about the reported plans for a £25 million outer harbour development to boost Grimsby's car handling capabilities.