UK PM in Felixstowe-Mega-Ship Drive

On a recent visit to the Port of Felixstowe, UK Prime Minister David Cameron launched an economic plan for the port in order to extend its berths and thereby better facilitate mega-ships.

PTI previously reported that European ports can expect to face more challenges in 2015, as Mediterranean transhipment traffic and container-handling in the north stretches ports to their limits.

The plan would allow the Port of Felixstowe to handle even larger mega-ships with the extension of its berths.

The Prime Minister outlined plans to spend around US$307 million on the extension of the port’s berths, according to Dredging Today.

Mr Cameron said: “The extraordinary scale of the trade you are pioneering is not just fundamental to success in this region, it’s fundamental to the success of the whole country.”

Clemence Cheng, CEO of the Port of Felixstowe, concluded: “The developments at Berths 8 [and] 9 ensure the UK has a world class facility to handle the world’s largest vessels. These mega ships provide UK exporters with the most efficient connections to key overseas markets and are central to delivering an export-led economic recovery.”

(Source: World Maritime News)