Gleadell managing director David Sheppard said: “Immingham’s strategic location at the heart of the UK’s grain-producing farmland makes it ideal for our farmer-customers and suppliers. This facility, designed for import and export cargoes, offers access to increasingly-important European markets, and leaves us very well-placed for the possible expansion of the bio-fuel industry in the vicinity of the port.

“The facility, alongside deep water but close to our customers, is very attractive. We already have cargoes committed for 2008, and I can only see the business growing,” he added. Gleadell have sent 20 ships into Europe this season.

The terminal will add value by offering farmers the opportunity to dry, condition or ventilate their grain without the need to commit to significant capital investment of their own. Equipped with a 1,200tph fully mobile shiploader, it is expected to handle export cargoes including wheat, barley, oilseed rape and pulses for customers in the Mediterranean, northern Europe, Scandinavia and Ireland, and to import specialist organic grain.

ABP chief executive Peter Jones said building the terminal will have a significant effect on the economy at local, regional and national level. “Gleadell is a valued long-standing customer of ABP, and has been loading grain at Immingham for almost 25 years. This new facility enables ABP to continue to play an important part in the ongoing growth of their business. It is developments of this kind that will continue to ensure the port keeps its leading status in the UK for many years to come.”

Gleadell is the third-largest grain exporter in the UK, and in 2006 handled 25% (550,000 tonnes) of the UK’s exportable grain surplus.