U.K. government approves Hutchison’s Bathside Bay terminal

U.K. government approves Hutchison’s Bathside Bay terminal    The U.K. government has finally given provisional approval to Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd. proposal for a 1.7 million TEU capacity terminal at Bathside Bay in Harwich.
   Hutchison Ports (UK) is a subsidiary of the world’s largest international port operator, Hutchison Port Holdings.
   Hutchison acquired the 250-acre site in 2000 and has applied twice before, in 2001 and 2004, to start developing the terminal. The port operator plans to invest about '300 million ($523 million) to create the terminal with a 1,400-meter quay, capable of handling four container vessels at once.
   “We believe this expansion in ports capacity is justified by the economic benefits it will bring regionally and nationally, for U.K. industry and the economy. We are committed to sustainable distribution and this new project would play a large part in securing that aim. That is why I am minded to agree with the Inspector’s recommendation that we should approve this project,” said Transport Minister Derek Twigg, in a statement.
   The government did add some provisions to the approval. “We understand at the same time that the new terminal will have a significant impact on the environment. This is why we agree that there should be controls imposed on the development, to provide new road and rail infrastructure so that congestion does not increase, to provide compensatory habitats for wildlife displaced by the scheme, and to reduce other environmental impacts such as noise, pollution and the visual impact,” Twigg said.