ABP, Brett and Tarmac Scale Up West Bank Operations for National Nuclear Infrastructure Project

ABP, Brett and Tarmac Scale Up West Bank Operations for National Nuclear Infrastructure Project

(IN BRIEF) Associated British Ports, Brett and Tarmac have formed a coordinated logistics partnership at the Port of Ipswich to support construction at Sizewell C. The partnership will use the West Bank at ABP’s Port of Ipswich to provide an integrated tri-modal supply chain, combining marine transport, rail movements and specialist materials handling for high-volume construction materials. The model supports Sizewell C’s target for at least 60% of construction materials to arrive by rail or sea rather than by road, helping reduce pressure on local roads and lower the environmental impact of logistics. The collaboration brings together ABP’s port and marine capabilities, Brett’s local aggregates and Ipswich operations, and Tarmac’s materials expertise, rail capability and nuclear-sector supply credentials through ISO 19443 certification.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 4-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Associated British Ports, Brett and Tarmac have formed a coordinated logistics partnership at the Port of Ipswich to support construction activity at Sizewell C.

The partnership will scale up operations on the West Bank at ABP’s Port of Ipswich and provide Sizewell C with a single, integrated tri-modal supply chain for high-volume construction materials.

The logistics model combines marine transport, rail capacity and specialist materials handling.

It is designed to support Sizewell C’s target for at least 60% of construction materials to arrive by rail or sea rather than by road.

The partnership will use established Ipswich infrastructure with capacity for vessel calls, rail movements, discharge, storage and onward distribution.

The companies said the model is intended to provide reliable, lower-impact logistics for a nationally significant nuclear infrastructure project.

The collaboration brings together three organisations with established operations and experience in the region.

ABP contributes operational control at the port, marine logistics expertise and the ability to manage vessel calls, material discharge and storage.

The West Bank at the Port of Ipswich provides a ready site for large-scale handling of aggregates and construction materials, with access to marine, rail and onward distribution routes close to Sizewell.

Brett brings a strong presence in Ipswich and is already supplying Sizewell C with Tarmac material imported into Ipswich by rail.

Tarmac contributes technical capability, high-grade material supply, rail operations experience and a track record on major national infrastructure projects.

Tarmac’s supply to the nuclear industry is further supported by its ISO 19443 certification, which provides additional controls aligned with the quality requirements of nuclear projects.

Together, ABP, Brett and Tarmac said they are offering Sizewell C a regional logistics platform based on local knowledge, operational capability and established supply routes.

Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, welcomed the partnership and said the Port of Ipswich plays a central role in the local economy.

He said the collaboration demonstrates the strength of Ipswich and the wider region in supporting national infrastructure projects.

Abbott added that bringing ABP, Brett and Tarmac together gives Sizewell C a dependable logistics route built on proven local capability.

He said the partnership will support jobs and investment, strengthen the supply chain and help maximise local benefits from the landmark project.

Ashley Shorey Mills, Supply Chain Engagement Director at the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said the partnership demonstrates how expertise and relationships within the Sizewell C supply chain can deliver significant local economic and wider environmental benefits.

She said the collaboration brings together established businesses at the scale and certainty required for a project of this size.

Mills added that using the Port of Ipswich, together with existing rail and marine routes, strengthens resilience, supports delivery of the Sizewell C programme and helps maximise economic benefits for Ipswich, Suffolk and the wider region.

Helen Pluck, Chief Executive of Ipswich Borough Council, said the partnership shows how Ipswich can support nationally significant infrastructure.

She said the council wants Sizewell C to leave a lasting legacy in Suffolk and that the partnership demonstrates the role Ipswich is ready to play in delivering it.

Paul Ager, Divisional Port Manager at ABP, said the partnership gives Sizewell C a practical solution built around strong marine and rail capacity.

He said Ipswich provides the scale, storage capacity, quayside strength and connectivity needed to support large material volumes and reliable delivery.

Ager added that the solution works with the local community and reduces pressure on local roads.

Oliver Brown, Development Director at Brett, said the company’s Ipswich site has been operating since the 1980s and that the partnership builds on that local strength.

He said Brett’s West Bank site is already an important part of the region’s aggregate supply chain.

Brown added that the ability to import aggregates by vessel and connect with the rail network provides a strong platform for supporting Sizewell C.

He said the collaboration supports reliable delivery, efficient material movement and lower environmental impact.

Will Pearson, Nuclear Commercial Director at Tarmac, said the company’s focus is on ensuring consistency and certainty of supply as the project progresses.

He said combining Tarmac’s materials expertise with established rail capability can help maintain momentum on site while supporting more efficient and lower-impact delivery at scale.

The partnership has been designed to support programme resilience and technical certainty.

It is intended to scale over time, with storage, handling and material movement capacity that can grow and adapt to Sizewell C’s programme requirements.

Grounded in the local supply chain and supported by businesses already active in Suffolk, the partnership provides an operationally ready route for high-volume construction materials.

ABP, Brett and Tarmac said they look forward to supporting the Sizewell C team in achieving the project’s objectives.

Through the coordinated logistics partnership, the Port of Ipswich is set to play a key role in supporting construction of Sizewell C while helping reduce road movements, strengthen regional supply chains and deliver local economic benefits.

Media contact:

Tim Morris
Head of Corporate Communications
tim.morris@abports.co.uk
Mob: +44 (0)7850 501 903

Hannah Kitcher
Group Corporate Communications Manager
hannah.kitcher@abports.co.uk
Mob: +44 (0)7969 209 652

SOURCE: Associated British Ports