Truck and Track Spring 2023 www.truckandtrack.com 84 PORTS P&O Ferries is joining forces with Finnlines to boost the flow of trade between Belgium and the UK by introducing new sailings on the Zeebrugge-Teesport route. In response to increased customer demand, P&O Ferries will charter Finnlines’ MS Finnpulp for three days a week under a new services agreement. This move will increase the overall number of P&O Ferries sailings to six and give customers more options on the key trading route between Britain and the Continent. Peter Hebblethwaite, Chief Executive of P&O Ferries, said: “We are delighted to announce that, in co-operation with Finnlines, we will support the UK and European economies by increasing freight capacity and strengthening resilience on the key Teesport – Zeebrugge route. This expansion of our services, in response to what our customers are telling us they want, demonstrates our commitment to providing vitally important trade routes for UK exporters and trading partners.” “We have made changes to our business so that we can flex our offer in line with market demand and are now focused on growth. We are determined to make P&O Ferries the best ferry company in Europe, which means the best ships, the best routes and the best value for tourist and freight customers.” Tom Pippingsköld, President and CEO of Finnlines Plc, added: “We have been pleased by our partnership in Zeebrugge since September 2021 and are delighted to strengthen it further by this contract. We are confident this will be a new and successful milestone for Finnlines and P&O Ferries co-operation on the North Sea.” The new sailings operate from Tuesdays to Thursdays, ensuring that freight customers will have an increased level of capacity during the midweek peak. MS Finnpulp has a capacity for 3,259 lane metres of cargo, equivalent to around 225 trailers. On its return to Zeebrugge, the vessel will be discharged and loaded for Finnlines’ service between Zeebrugge and Rosslare, Ireland. P&O Ferries will also provide stevedoring and ship handling services for Finnlines’ Zeebrugge to Rosslare route as part of the freight services partnership. P&O Ferries also operates routes between Zeebrugge and Tilbury and Zeebrugge and Hull respectively, giving it the most comprehensive North Sea coverage of any ferry operator. P&O Ferries to strengthen key trade link between Belgium and the UK with new sailings Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology George Freeman MP visits Freeport East in Felixstowe Freeport East hosted Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman MP, at the Port of Felixstowe. This was part of the Minister’s wider visit of connected innovation clusters in the east of England. As part of the visit, the Minister was introduced to a selection of innovations being developed across the Freeport East area and briefed on plans to bring together a Freeport East Innovation Cluster that would support development of new technologies whilst also bringing new economic opportunities. Following his visit, Minister Freeman said: “The Felixstowe and Harwich Freeport East NetZero Innovation Hub is a flagship project, through which one of the world’s great freight container ports is becoming a hub of green hydrogen, marine conservation, digital Smart Port informatics and autonomous vehicle technology. “It’s one of the jewels in the crown of the New Anglia Cleantech Cluster, on the frontline of decarbonising ports, shipping and freight distribution for sustainable economic growth.” Steve Beel, Chief Executive at Freeport East commented: “Minister Freeman has made very clear his passion for supporting science, innovation and technology and it was a pleasure to welcome him to Freeport East to discuss how we can work together. “Freeport East has placed innovation at the heart of our plans, whether it be through development of a green hydrogen hub, supporting the application of new technologies and processes in some of our key economic sectors, or strengthening engagement with our skills providers on where new opportunities can flow from future areas of innovation.” Background During the visit, the Minister was given an update on the Freeport East proposal for a Green Hydrogen Hub, including their latest published analysis on “500MW by 2030”. The Port of Felixstowe were able to update the Minister on their latest trials of automated vehicles as well as developments for 5G networks and green hydrogen production within the port. Harwich Haven Authority showcased their latest dredging technology, the TIAMAT, which significantly reduces the environmental impact, GHG emissions and the cost of dredging works. Entopy Ltd, a Suffolk-based start-up in the technology sector, shared their approach to digital twins and innovative deep-data analytics, and the benefits it can bring across a range of sectors including trade, logistics and renewable energy. L to r Mark Lemmon, Chair, Freeport East, Steve Beel, CEO, Freeport East, Karen Poulter, CIO, Hutchison Ports UK, George Freeman MP, Paul Davey, Head of Corporate Affairs, Hutchison Ports UK TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TOALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk
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