UK freeports get government go-ahead

The Humber Freeport’s final business case has been given conditional approval subject to the set up of the planned customs zone whilst the Thames Freeport can now form its board and start operating fully after its final business case was approved.

The conditional approval paves the way for the full set up of Humber’s Freeport Company, allowing it to begin work on delivering new jobs and investment across the ports of Hull, Goole, Immingham and Grimsby.

“This has been a two-and-a-half year project to get to this stage, involving a partnership of local authorities, business groups and universities,” said Humber Freeport chair, Simon Bird.

“We have very exciting times ahead for the Humber area, with a plan to bring at least 7,000 new high-quality jobs and investment for years to come,” he added.

’Open for business’

A partnership between Ford, Forth Ports and DP World, Thames Freeport will see over £4.6 billion in new public and private investment, and the creation of more than 21,000 new jobs.

The port is already generating growth for the area with 500 new jobs and this latest announcement comes as the board appoints three new non-executive directors.

“We are officially open for business,” said Charles Hammond OBE, chief executive of the Forth Ports Group.

“Over the coming months, we will begin to see the green shoots of the freeport’s land development, infrastructure projects, skills initiatives and innovation programmes take shape.

“The appointment of a strong management team and board will boost the freeport activity and complement our business strategy, which is centred on accelerating growth in our low carbon logistics offering at the heart of Europe’s biggest consumer market and the South East’s industrial base,” he added.