Armitt Group to operate new steel terminal at London Thamesport

The United Kingdom shipping agent and logistics provider signed an agreement with the southeast UK port for the operation of a purpose-built, 120,000-square-foot steel handling facility, construction of which has already begun.    The Armitt Group has signed an agreement with Hutchison Ports for the operation of a new steel handling facility at London Thamesport in the United Kingdom, according to a joint statement from the firms.
   The purpose-built, 120,000-square-foot steel handling terminal, construction of which has already begun, will allow The Armitt Group to offer customers access to London Thamesport’s deep-water berths, as well as its rail and road links to London and the rest of the UK. Construction of the first phase of 60,000 square feet is expected to be completed by the end of April 2017, with the facility opening for business as early as May 2017.
   The facility will offer “unparalleled multimodal connections for breakbulk cargo handled in the South East of England,” the companies said.
   Clemence Cheng, managing director of Hutchison Ports Europe, which owns and operates London Thamesport, said the deal “demonstrates the port’s advantages for multi-purpose, as well as containerized, cargoes.”
   “As well as a renowned ship’s agency, the Armitt Group is one of the UK’s leading specialists in the handling of steel products and the excellent combination of deep-water and multimodal rail and road connections at London Thameport will provide it with a platform from which to develop its business,” he added.
   “We see this new relationship with London Thamesport as a great opportunity to open up a new supply chain corridor for The Armitt Group to service European and Far Eastern markets and is a critical link in our plans to develop a fully integrated supply chain across the UK,” said Armitt Group Managing Director Charles Gray.
   Nicholas Marshall, commercial director of The Armitt Group, said the company has had “significant enquiries” from both current and prospective customers regarding the new facility.
   “With no lock, beam or draft restrictions to be concerned about, delivering break bulk into London Thamesport is an attractive proposition for importers,” he said. “Sailing times will be cut by three to four days compared to ports on the UK’s west coast or those further up the east coast.”