The latest phase of expansion at Hutchison Ports’ Port of Felixstowe will allow it to handle the world's largest container ships by adding approximately 13 hectares of container yard directly behind Berth 9.
With ten container blocks and 6-high stacking, the yard will add 18,000 TEU of stacking capacity to the 130,000 TEU already available at the UK's largest container port.
The work will include the reclamation of 3.2 hectares of seabed behind the existing finger pier.
Engineering and construction company VolkerFitzpatrick is undertaking the design and construction of the project.
Felixstowe was the first port in the UK to handle the latest class of 18,000-plus TEU ships in 2013 and continues to handle more than any other port in the country.
Read 'Innovative Yard Strategies for Ports and Terminals' to learn more about the Port of Felixstowe
Hutchison Ports’ has said it expects the completion of the new container yard to be in early 2019.
Commenting on the latest development, Clemence Cheng, Executive Director, Hutchison Ports, said: “Berths 8&9 were the first berths in the UK built to accommodate the latest class of ultra-large container vessels.
“The creation of additional container storage will allow us to optimise container handling operations between the berth and its supporting yard and further enhance the service we offer to our customers.”
Read more: On September 14, 2017, Felixstowe handled its 100th mega vessel of the year when the 18,270 TEU Matz Maersk arrived at the port from Bremerhaven.
