Humber equipment investment

The operator is rolling out a five-year strategy including buying new cranes, the full refurbishment of existing cranes and investing in landside equipment. The plan also focuses on sustainability, ensuring that ABP continues to invest in environmentally-friendly equipment.

“This significant investment shows the confidence we have to continue to grow and invest to ensure the Humber ports are future-proofed when it comes to the latest technology in cranes and cargo handling equipment,” explained Simon Bird, regional director for the Humber ports.

The ongoing strategy in the Humber has been split between investment in mobile harbour cranes and hydraulic cranes, the first of which the Mantsinen 300M, the world’s largest hydraulic crane, is due at the Port of Immingham late April.

“Our strategy is about ensuring we have a versatile mix of cranes to cargo mix and that we can provide additional capacity to meet growing volumes of cargo,” said Simon Bird.

Equipment is now arriving having been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The first delivery in December 2021 comprised four Konecranes Reach Stackers which run on hydrogenated vegetable oil costing £1.6 million This will be followed by the Mantsinen 300m Hybrilift hydraulic crane plus various attachments costing nearly £3 million in spring.

Whilst details are yet to be finalised, the investment is likely to include mobile harbour cranes, material handlers, reach stackers and forklifts. Bulks, break bulks and project cargo are all being catered for, including a £16 million spend on maintenance capex on cargo handling landslide within Immingham Container Terminal and Hull Container Terminal.