UK’s Largest Ports Organisation Describes Humber as Industry’s “Centre of Gravity”

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of Humber Economic Partnership (HEP) on Monday 14 December 2009, Peter Jones, CEO of the UK’s largest ports group, has described the Humber as the UK’s “centre of gravity” for seaborne trade, and suggested that it would be a “favoured option” if Associated British Ports (ABP) looked to relocate its London-based HQ in the future.

The Humber ports and wharves complex (Goole, Grimsby, Hull and Immingham and the Ouse and Trent Wharves) is the largest in the UK and the fourth largest in northern Europe, and Mr Jones explained that the 91 million tonnes it handled in 2008 represented over 16% of the country’s seaborne trade.

“The Humber is the heart of ABP’s business with more than half of our throughput and revenue generated in the sub-region. Seven out of ten of our top customers are based here. The Humber is the busiest estuary in the country by any measure, with over 16 per cent of the UK’s seaborne trade, 40,000 vessel movements and more than 25,000 pilotage movements each year. ABP alone handled over 70 million
tonnes of cargo through its Humber ports in 2008.

“We have invested over £200m on new facilities over the last ten years and we plan to spend a further £250m over the next five years. One of our key projects is a new berth to develop the car trade at Grimsby. In September we submitted an application to build a £30m jetty outside the entrance lock that could accept 3,000 unit (vehicles) vessels, whereas currently we can only handle 800 unit vessels. There are also several exciting opportunities on both banks related to renewable energy projects that could require new berths and underpin further major investment in manufacturing plants in the sub-region.

“In addition, we are working with local development agencies to Masterplan regeneration strategies for Grimsby Fish Dock and the Albert and William Wright Docks in Hull.

“Despite a difficult year, the Humber is the leading artery for seaborne traffic in the UK and ABP will continue to invest to maintain that position. ABP has a long-term lease on its London HQ until 2016, but if we then decide to look elsewhere the Humber would be the natural choice.”

The prospect that ABP might relocate its HQ to the Humber was welcome news for the region’s business leaders from organisations representing the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Charles Lewis, Chair of HEP, said: “This is our 15th AGM and we are very grateful to Peter for taking the time to speak at our event. He raised some interesting points and highlighted some great opportunities for the future. There is no doubt that the short-medium term presents some challenges for industries across the sub-region. However, it was clear from the response at the AGM that there is a ‘can do’ attitude amongst Humber organisations.

“The event was very well attended and I would like to thank the many people who turned up from all over the sub-region. This is another good example of strong cross sector enthusiasm and working across the Humber.”

The AGM, which was held at the Innovation Centre at Europarc in Grimsby, it was attended by around 50 leading business people from Hull, the East Riding, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

The 2008 AGM minutes were agreed and attendees agreed to the reappoint Ernst and Young LLP as HEP’s auditors for the year ahead. The formal business ended with a general discussion led by Mick King, HEP’s Executive Manager, about the recent HEP Peer Review which is due to report back in March, the skills agenda, the wider economy and plans for the future.

[Ends]

Notes to Editors
Kate Carroll, Corporate Services Manager, Humber Economic Partnership
Tel. 01482 596771, Fax. 01482 596799, Mob 07917 570109,
Email: kcarroll@humberep.co.uk

Background about Humber Economic Partnership

Humber Economic Partnership (HEP) is the strategic private-public partnership for sustainable economic development for the Hull and Humber Ports City Region.
The partnership covers the whole City Region and is made up from leaders of both public and private sectors from both banks of the Humber who believe in the merits and importance of joint action to create the sustainable growth and greater competitiveness of the economy of the area.
HEP is a business-led partnership with an influential and respected Board of Directors, which takes advice from the HEP Council of Members; a body of around 100 senior people from a variety of sectors including local businesses, local authorities, education, health, voluntary organisations, trade unions, employer organisations, etc.
The Members represent the wider community, and hold the Partnership responsible to it. HEP’s Executive Team puts into practice the Board’s decisions.

http://www.humberep.co.uk/
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