Sphere
#37
2015
14
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Building blocks of communities
After war, peace
The battering it took in the war saw
Felixstowe fall into disrepair, resulting
in reduced volumes of trade. However,
therein lay the seeds of its later success.
As a smaller operator, it benefited from
independence and flexibility that allowed
lower operating costs. Urban ports
such as Canary Wharf declined as the
containerisation era began. Distance
from shipping lanes and congested urban
transport systems made these ports less
attractive—and Felixstowe more enticing.
Felixstowe’s establishment of the nation’s
first operational container handling facility
in 1967 reflected the port’s ideal location
for implementing new container-related
technology.
In the late 1980s, when Hutchison was
looking to make its first international
acquisition, Felixstowe fit the bill. After
securing full ownership of the terminal
in 1994, HPH swiftly improved facilities,
undertaking a new 630-metre expansion of
Trinity Terminal and adding new technology
to enhance the port’s capabilities. The
terminal has expanded several times since.
Rule Britannia
Now the UK’s busiest container port, PFL
hosts more than 40 per cent of Britain’s
container trade. Decades of investment
in the port’s infrastructure by HPH and a
government policy to develop rail freight
transportation have resulted in PFL
containers enjoying the broadest, most
frequent connections in Great Britain. PFL is
now also the nation’s largest container rail
terminal, having doubled its rail capacity
since 2002. Currently seeing 60 train
movements per day to and from 17 inland
destinations, PFL moves more containers
than any other port in Great Britain,
delivering superior choice and flexibility.
Our port
PFL, though privately owned, is considered
part of the local community. But the close
relationship between Hutchison, the port
and the local community goes beyond the
numbers.
When PFL workers and management
noticed that curious visitors would
regularly visit a spot in Landguard to
observe the busy operations of the port,
the team took it upon themselves to
dedicate and then refurbish the lands
to accommodate them. The area later
became known as John Bradfield Viewing
Area. Soon a visitor centre, café and ferry
station were all set up for the convenience
of tourists and locals alike.
HPH continues to work with the local
community on all levels. Paul Davey,
Hutchison Ports (UK)’s Head of Corporate
Affairs, explains, “By participating in
the Landguard Partnership, HPH helps
ensure the amenities that come from
nature reserves and historic monuments
are maintained and developed in an
appropriate way for the benefit of the
environment and the local community.”
The port’s representatives meet formally
with local councillors twice a year to
give updates on the port’s development
and provide a channel to raise any issues.
“It establishes a formal means of dialogue,
where we can liaise with the local
government, right down to the most
local levels,” says Mr Davey. “There’s a
strong common understanding that what
is good for the port is good for the local
town as well.”
Councillor Graham Newman, Mayor of
Felixstowe, explains this relationship:
“Not only have UK local authorities
