Chris Bovis, Business Strategy expert at the University of Hull has called on the recent investors in Associated British Ports (ABP) to build on more international trade links in a bid to bring in more container trade to the Humber.
PTI previously reported that Hermes Infrastructure and Canadian Pension Plan Invest Board had jointly purchased a 30% stake in ABP that had previously been put onto the market by Goldman Sachs.
As reported by the Grimsby Telegraph, Chris Bovis is quoted as saying: “The Canadian-driven investment to ABP might wake up the Humber giant. The Humber needs to internationalise and attract containerised trade. It could easily directly compete with established ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp, provided the infrastructure is sorted. Here is the opportunity for transforming the region – through international trade made available by the Humber ports infrastructure.
“The new investors will have a pragmatic, yet ambitious expectation for developing the infrastructure capacities in the Humber and linking such proposition to EU and overseas stakeholders. What is going very strong for the Humber region at the moment is the national and international momentum it has gained for a place to invest and do business. The Humber region is competitive, it has ample capacity in human capital and recourses, it can match the skills demand and it can provide a sustainable port facility for inward and outward trade flows. It can also be a free trade zone, meaning customs clearance capacity and relevant support services could be coupled with landing and docking facilities.”
In a move that will allow ports to express their views in national debates, ABP has offered a one-year guest membership.
ABP currently contributes around US$9bn (£6.153bn) to the UK economy.
