24th July 2002
Harwich International Port has announced the signing of a new 15-year contract with Derby Cement Limited (DCL) to import cement to the UK through new facilities at Harwich International Port. The agreement, which was finalised on the 14th July 2002, will see the construction of a purpose built 4,800 square metre cement terminal at the East end of the Port, adjoining the proposed Bathside Bay development. This new facility will be capable of storing more than 20,000 tonnes of bulk-bagged cement, and will include state-of-the-art equipment enabling despatch of cement in bulk tanker loads or 1.5 tonne bulk-bags.
The signing was welcomed by Andrew Harston, General Manager of Harwich International Port, who said, " We are delighted to have secured a long term agreement with Derby Cement Limited at Harwich, and believe that the experience that their Directors have of the UK cement market will ensure that this new business is a great success, providing a quality product to the East of England, and potentially further afield, from Harwich International Port."
The project was conceived when DCL was founded, and has been driven forward by the Company's three Directors, who together have over 25 years of experience in cement and related industries.
Commenting on the agreement, Chris Holl, General Manager of DCL, stated, "The attraction of Harwich International Port was the availability of deep-water berthing, enabling vessels with up to 9.5 metre draft to call, and also the close proximity of available land to the berth and one of the Port's two rail terminals. Harwich International Port has used its expertise in cargo handling and management to ensure our business starts on a strong operational foundation. Our market is very competitive and our customers need to have excellent quality and security of supply in order to build long term trading relationships."
The first vessel is expected to call at Harwich International Port during August and to arrive carrying approximately 15,000 tonnes.
DCL expects to make a small impact on the huge 12 million tonnes per annum demand in the UK, but intends to offer a truly independent alternative, which is supported by experience, a quality product, and a robust supply chain.
Note to editors:
Harwich International Port (HWH) is one of the UK's leading multi-purpose freight and passenger ports with excellent road and rail links to the Midlands, London and the South East. It is ideally located for North Sea freight and passenger traffic to and from Scandinavia and the Benelux countries, offering first class ro-ro, ferry, container and bulk operations.
HWH is a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group, the world's leading port investor, developer and operator with interests in 15 countries throughout Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Today, HPH operates a total of 30 ports together with a number of transportation related service companies.
For further information or a PHOTOGRAPH, please contact Paul Davey on Tel. No.: +44-1394 604987 or
