ABP Southampton has announced an £8.3 million upgrade for specialist facilities at its Fresh Produce Terminal to allow it to undertake a much faster, more energy-efficient operation at its cargo-handling terminal.
The port will install two top-of-the-range mobile cranes and totally refurbish its cool store and chilled produce processing area, with work starting in the next couple of months.
The terminal is operated by Solent Stevedores and was originally developed for the handling of tomatoes imported from the Canary Islands between October and April. Refurbishments will expand the cool store’s temperature range and chilled storage capacity, which means the port can handle more cooled fruit as well as other temperature-controlled, high-value products.
Terex Port Solutions will supply the new cargo-handling cranes to ABP Southampton. The diesel-electric harbour equipment will replace four older cranes on the quayside, available to handle critical project cargoes such as turbine components and yachts.
ABP Southampton awarded the refurbishment contract to Hampshire-based Brymor Construction on 2 August. The development will involve updating the warehouse to provide a range of temperatures and improve lighting, hygiene and welfare facilities.
Alastair Welch, port director at ABP Southampton, said: “This latest £8.3m investment to improve port facilities will ensure we develop our capabilities to meet the increasing demands of the Fresh Produce Terminal into the future.
“The proposals to install new, more efficient harbour cranes and improved temperature controlled warehouse facilities together with the use of new energy efficient lighting and chilling technology will greatly enhance our customer offer”
Stuart Cullen, owner and CEO of Solent Stevedores, said: “This is another example of Solent Stevedores working in harmony with ABP to improve port facilities in Southampton. As a consequence of our joint enterprise, £15m has been invested over the past 10 years to improve port infrastructure.
“This continuing investment has not only contributed towards significant additional tonnage being handled in the Port of Southampton, but has resulted in a 500% increase in the number of full time staff employed by Solent Stevedores.”
Brymor’s operations director, Barry Tull, said: “This exciting project is challenging, both in programme and technically, but it is one we are looking forward to carrying out.”
The work is due to commence shortly with most of the refrigerated areas completed by the end of October and the remaining work by February 2017.
