ABP’s Immingham ups grain handling capacity

As the UK seeks to clear its 2022 grain surplus ahead of the 2023 harvest, ABP has invested in Immingham’s capacity to receive and load grains for human consumption. Historically, the UK’s grain output has been tight, swinging between importer and exporter depending on weather impacts on crops.

Immingham now has two metal plate bunds – equipment to contain spills and prevent contamination – which can set on any quay and quay surface. The bunds can be sanitised between vessels, enabling the handling of grain for human consumption as opposed to animal feed.

Grain operations will also make use of new Liebherr 420 mobile harbour cranes, speeding up handling of cargoes.

Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “This is a cost-effective method of ensuring we can load on to any quay in inner dock. It’s a developed and proven capability for operations to receive and load human consumption grains, which is part of our key competitiveness.”

We’re delighted that one of the first to use the new grain handling facility is Viterra, one of the UK’s leading grain marketers. The Humber is a key player in the market and our continued investment into infrastructure and equipment maintains our agility and resilience.”

Viterra’s agriculture network covers 37 countries, marketing over 100m tonnes of agricultural commodities annually. In April 2022, Viterra opening a new 35,000 mt storage facility located on the ABP Humber International Terminal.

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Speaking of the investment, Viterra UK Managing Director James Maw said: “These combined investments provide the necessary storage for Viterra’s expanding import & export business, serving farmers and processors throughout Central and Eastern England,”

“The Panamax berth capability, combined with the excellent road network around Immingham will further add to the range and quality of services that Viterra provides to its customers.”

ABP said that the new loading system is projected to handle 75,000 tonnes of grain by the end of March 2023.