Consent for new berth at Southampton

ABP submitted its detailed application for the redevelopment of Berths 201/2 in December 2008 and has also submitted a separate application to widen and deepen parts of the main approach channel between the Isle of Wight and the port.

On completion, the redeveloped quay will be 500m in length with a 16m draft and capable of handling the largest container vessels afloat today.

DP World Southampton, a joint venture between ABP and DP World, operates the existing container terminal at Berths 203 to 207 and has added six new cranes to the facility over the last three years.

Port director Doug Morrison welcomed the news, saying, ‘This consent allows us to press forward with important works at Berths 201/2. With the size of container vessels continuing to increase, the container terminal can no longer accommodate four of the largest container ships simultaneously. This development will rectify that situation by creating the “lost” fourth berth.’

The main works, which will involve an investment of approximately £80m, will commence on site in September 2012, with completion anticipated by the end of 2013.

The consent was received at the same time as Network Rail completed extensive works to upgrade the rail capacity for containers moving between the port and the West Coast Mainline.