Associated British Ports announced it will create single organisation to manage all four of its Humber ports

30-9-2013 — /EuropaWire/ — Associated British Ports (ABP) has announced a reorganisation of its Humber ports to bring its operational and commercial teams under one umbrella. Currently separated into two directorates covering Hull and Goole on the north bank of the river and Grimsby and Immingham on the south, ABP will create a new single organisation to manage all four of its Humber ports.

The move is a response to increasing demand from customers and better aligns ABP with other organisations working to champion the region as a centre for trade and new renewable energy, such as the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership.

The new organisation will be led by John Fitzgerald, currently ABP Port Director Grimsby & Immingham. As a result, Matt Jukes, currently ABP Port Director Hull & Goole, will be leaving ABP.

The reorganisation comes at an exciting time for ABP’s Humber ports with at least £350 million of infrastructure investment planned over the coming years.

Speaking about his new role, Mr. Fitzgerald said, “The Humber, already the UK’s busiest shipping estuary, is a fantastic location for maritime trade and is at the forefront of the development of new renewable energy.

“The great opportunity is to promote a unified service to the market.

“ABP has a great team of people working across the Humber and our ports in this region have huge potential.

“I am determined to make sure we can realise that potential by growing our business with existing customers, attracting new customers and delivering our major programme of investment, including Green Port Hull, creating more sustainable jobs for the people of our region.”

ABP Chief Executive, James Cooper said, “ABP’s aim is to help customers benefit from the many advantages our ports on the Humber can offer, both as a centre for shipping and as an emerging centre for renewable energy.

“John, who is Chairman of the CBI’s Yorkshire and Humber region, has many years of experience in the ports industry and has successfully led Grimsby & Immingham, the UK’s largest port complex, for over 6 years.

“He is passionate about serving our customers and a strong champion of the Humber region.”

Mr. Cooper added, “I would also like to thank Matt Jukes, who has worked for ABP for nearly 20 years. Matt has made a significant contribution to ABP, most recently in his dogged pursuit of the Green Port Hull project, which, when it is delivered, will transform the port. We wish him well for the future.”

Notes to editors:
John Fitzgerald joined ABP in 1997 and has held board positions since 2004. In
February 2008 he was appointed port director for Grimsby & Immingham, the UK’s busiest port handling more than 53 million tonnes of cargo a year.

John previously held port management positions in both the Mersey and the Medway estuaries. He is currently chairman of the Confederation of British Industries for the Yorkshire and Humber region.

About ABP
ABP is the UK’s leading ports operator handling around one quarter of the nation’s seaborne trade.

ABP’s 21 ports, together with the other transport-related businesses that constitute the ABP group, form a UK-wide network capable of handling a vast array of cargo. ABP is backed by investment in modern facilities and equipment, and supported by experienced staff. The group’s other activities include rail terminal operations (Hams Hall), dredging (UK Dredging Ltd) and marine consultancy (ABPmer).

ABP’s port estate totals 5000ha, including some 900ha of development land at key strategic locations around Britain.

ABP’s assets include:
• 87km of quay;
• 1000ha of open storage; and
• 1.4m sqm of covered storage.

In 2012 ABP handled over 115,000 vessel movements.

Over the next 5 years, ABP plans to invest over £500 million in a wide range of major projects across the Group.

Contact :
Rachel Addison
Communications Coordinator Humber
Associated British Ports
Email: raddison@abports.co.uk

Lindsay Mulholland 
Communications Coordinator
Associated British Ports
Tel: 020 7406 7825; Mob: 07715 122516
Email: lmulholland@abports.co.uk

www.abports.co.uk

John Fitzgerald