August 2006
Wisbech Port scoops first export contract in 10 years
The Port of Wisbech is to handle its first export consignment in more than 10 years when Glazewing Ltd, of West Derham, ships out 2,000 tonnes of scrap metal to northern Spain for reprocessing.
The Fenland District Council-owned port, which is operated by the Port of Wisbech company, has long been used by importers who value its strategic position and handling capabilities, but it is only now being recognised as viable by manufacturers in Britain looking to export their goods.As the price of petrol and diesel sky rockets, manufacturers are taking a long hard look at how they can save on costly road miles when they move their goods around the country. This has had a major positive impact on Wisbech.
Glazewing Ltd has traditionally exported scrap metal for processing via the Humber, which was a round trip of more than 240 miles from West Dereham. With Wisbech just 20 miles away, Glazewing is now keen to explore the port as an alternative export facility.The first 2,000 tonne shipment is due to leave Wisbech during August and the port management is hopeful that it will lead to two ships a month exporting a total of 4,000 tonnes a month to Spain.Currently the port handles around six ships a month and the additional two ships will boost the port’s trade by 30 per cent.
The port has the capacity to take around 12 ships a month so the council and the port management are keen to attract more export-related shipments.Jim Roberts, the Managing Director of Wisbech Port, said: “The increasing cost of road freight is making Wisbech an attractive port for exporter and importers in Cambridgeshire and across the Midlands. Leicester and Nottingham are only about 60 miles away so firms which currently pay huge haulage costs moving goods to and from the Humber or Felixstowe are investigating the viability of smaller ports like Wisbech.”
Cllr Mac Cotterell, Portfolio Holder with responsibility for the port, said: “The council has a reputation for finding solutions to environmental problems and we are keen to encourage businesses across the Midlands and Cambridgeshire to look at the port of Wisbech because we believe it can save them money and reduce pollution.”
David Grief, Managing Director of Glazewing, said: “Using Wisbech Port is a pilot project for us. All the indications are that this will save us money and improve efficiency. With fuel costs now being a major cost factor, Wisbech has become a sensible option for us. We are in the business of recycling and we are keen to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We hope that this shipment will be the start of a long association with the port.”
Anyone who would like to know more about the benefits of importing or exporting goods from Wisbech, should contact Jim Roberts at the Port of Wisbech on 01945 580198, or Peter Harvey, Harbour Master, on 01945 588059.
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