SOUTHAMPTON PORT VISIT UNDERLINES GREEN CONNECTION
The pivotal role that ports, coastal and short-sea shipping play in promoting a sustainable and ‘greener’ UK transport network was highlighted today (Tuesday, 21 October), when the Freight Logistics Division of the Department for Transport visited Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Port of Southampton.
A 14-strong delegation, led by John Lilley, head of the Freight Facilities Grants (FFG) unit, visited the port’s glass-processing facility – the first of its kind in a UK port – as part of an annual ‘away day’ the division undertakes to broaden its knowledge of freight-distribution methods and sustainable transport.
Accompanied by representatives from ABP and the facility’s operator, The Midland Glass Processing Company, the division got a real insight into the workings of the operation and how the facility brings clear road-mileage savings.
Around 24,000 tonnes of recyclable glass is expected to be processed through the purpose-built facility each year and shipped from the port to Londonderry, Ayr and Jarrow where the glass will be made into new bottles. It is estimated that this will take over 19,200 HGV (heavy goods vehicles) movements off Britain’s roads over a 10-year period.
The Midland Glass Processing facility is a grant-aided facility and the Port of Southampton was only the second UK port to receive funding for such a facility when ABP, along with port stevedoring company, Solent Stevedores, successfully secured the £800,000 grant in 2001.
Ports have benefited from FFG for rail-handling facilities for many years, but until 2000 the division did not have the statutory powers to award water grants to ports or coastal shipping. The new glass-processing facility at Southampton is a clear example of how ports and coastal/short-sea shipping can contribute to a greener environment for all, as John Lilley explains:
“By removing 640,000 lorry miles each year from our roads, this new facility is good news for people living and working along the lorry routes and for the environment as a whole. Ports are an important transport interchange and have an increasing role to play in providing a cost-efficient alternative to road transportation.”
Andrew Kent, ABP Port Director, Southampton, said:
“This project is an excellent example of how UK ports can provide significant competitive benefits for domestic distribution as well as international trade, while encouraging environmentally-friendly methods of transportation.
“It is our hope that others will be encouraged by the success of this project and that the environment will be the net beneficiary of our efforts to find sustainable solutions.”
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