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P&O to supersize Zeebrugge terminal
[ July 12, 2016 // Chris ]P&O Ferries is doubling freight capacity at its Zeebrugge hub to meet increased demand from exporters to Britain. After signing an agreement with Zeebrugge port operator MBZ, the P&O Ferries’ terminal will be extended 14 hectares including a fourth berth and extended rail terminal. The expanded hub will have a capacity of 700,000 units a year compared with 370,000 currently.
The ferry operator’s chief commercial officer, Janette Bell, said: “Our Zeebrugge hub serves North Sea services to Tilbury, Hull and Teesport and we expect our expanded terminal to attract more exporters who are looking for a fast and reliable route to and from the UK market.
“The enhanced rail facilities, including rail-mounted gantry cranes to load and unload freight as quickly as possible, are a vital link in the logistics chain because a growing proportion of the goods we transport originates in Central and Eastern Europe before being taken to the coast by train. In addition to the fourth ro ro berth, the new terminal will also have facilities to handle lo lo vessels, barges and feeder ships.”
Last year, P&O Ferries introduced a second vessel, the Mistral, to its Zeebrugge-Teesport route to meet demand and recently reported the best ever quarter on its Zeebrugge-Tilbury route, with freight volumes increasing by 15%.