UK’s Newest Container Berth Officially Opened at Southampton

It was the final stage of a £100 million investment by ABP in the container terminal in Southampton. This is part of more than £650 million of capital investment planned by ABP across the group’s 21 ports.
It is estimated that this pipeline of investment will generate in order of £1.75 billion in GVA to the UK Economy.

The ceremony with the four-times Olympic gold medallist and the CMA CGM Marco Polo marked the official opening of Southampton’s new 500m long berth. It also brought to an end one of the biggest engineering projects in the south; creating a facility designed to handle the largest and deepest container vessels afloat.

 The port hosted a day of celebrations, which saw more than 300 guests drawn from the global

shipping industry, local community and port staff entertained by BBC South Today’s Sally Taylor holding a live question and answer session with the America’s Cup winning sailor.

Themed on the gold standard, the event highlighted Southampton’s status as the UK’s no.1 performing container terminal, turning vessels around faster than any other UK port.

Mark Binge, Allseas Global Commercial Manager added: “Watch out Felixstowe and London Gateway! The opening of the new quay in Southampton shows just how determined the port is not to be overlooked in the battle to accommodate the world’s largest ships wanting to call in the UK. At Allseas we welcome this news and the opportunities it brings for us and our customers.”