ABP’S SCOTTISH PORTS PERFORM WELL IN FIRST HALF OF 2006
Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Scottish Ports of Ayr and Troon have had a solid first half in 2006, with higher than expected increases in trades such as fertiliser and coal.
Matt Jukes, ABP Port Director, Short-Sea Ports, said: “Our Scottish ports are in a prime position for handling these commodities and it is pleasing to see growth in these important trades. From agribulks to project cargoes, such as wind turbines, Ayr and Troon are reliable and versatile ports and these qualities are demonstrated in the business success witnessed so far this year.”
In January, ABP announced that it had invested over £700,000 acquiring additional handling equipment at Ayr, in order to sustain its reputation for excellent facilities and operational flexibility. Ayr’s new equipment includes a Liebherr 974b excavator crane, a Liebherr 580 loading shovel, a Manitou MLT 845 tele-handler and a Ford multi-purpose light tipper. The excavator crane, in particular, is one of the most adaptable and efficient cranes available. Its flexibility means it can handle dry bulks and packaged cargo, as well as scrap metal and project cargoes.
Stuart Cresswell, ABP Port Manager, Ayr and Troon, said: “This equipment will help us to satisfy our customers’ developing requirements for the future. The wide range of cargoes we handle at Ayr, and our commitment to providing a first-class service, mean we rely on having state-of-the-art equipment such as these.”
During the year, the Port of Troon has maintained its position as a major Irish Sea ferry port, with P&O Irish Sea continuing its popular passenger fast-ferry service and a daily freight service from the port. The first half of 2006 has also seen a change of management at the two ports.
In March, Stuart Cresswell became Port Manager, after being promoted from his previous role as Business Development Manager. Stuart has worked for ABP since 1982, undertaking a number of roles including Regional Resources Manager and Business Services Manager at the Port of Ayr. While working as Regional Resources Manager, he held responsibility for personnel and IT at ABP’s North-West Ports of Garston, Fleetwood, Barrow, Silloth, as well as Ayr and Troon. The previous manager of Ayr and Troon, Alastair MacFarlane, was promoted within ABP and relocated to Ipswich, where he became Port Manager of ABP’s East Anglian Ports of Ipswich, Lowestoft and King’s Lynn. Alastair had been Port Manager at Ayr and Troon since 2002.
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