On Tuesday 28th February 2012, the executive team from Dream Designs Colchester, including Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester and his parents, Brian & Diane Cotterill were given the opportunity to visit the Port of Felixstowe.

We had contacted David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison Ports UK, a number of weeks previously, to discuss the possibility of visiting the Port of Felixstowe, particularly as the newly constructed Berths 8&9 recently opened and are now in operation.

David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison Ports UK, past our letter onto Debbie Coe, Customer Relations Manager, Port of Felixstowe, who later contacted us and was delighted to offer us the opportunity to visit and tour the Port of Felixstowe.

We were asked to arrive at TomLine House at the Port of Felixstowe at 10:00, where we were met by Debbie Coe, Customer Relations, Manager, Port of Felixstowe.

Upon our arrival at TomLine House we were escorted to a conference room, where a short presentation took place, which gave us an overview of the Port of Felixstowe. Refreshments were there too for us to enjoy!

We also discussed the newly constructed Berths 8&9 and the ever increasing size of container ships and the number of larger vessel, particularly Maersk Line's Triple-E Class ships, which will have a capacity of 18,000 TEU. The first of these massive vessels is due to arrive in 2013 and is quite likely to call at the Port of Felixstowe in the future.

At the end of the presentation we were presented with a number of gifts from the Port of Felixstowe, including the 2012 Port Journal and other fabulous gifts. Debbie Coe, Customer Relations, Manager, Port of Felixstowe, then invited to explore the various areas within the Port of Felixstowe and gave us a truly wonderful tour!

The first stop on the tour was the South Rail Terminal. The Port of Felixstowe is committed to further increase the amount of freight which is transported by rail and in recent years has made significant investments. In the past 3 years £6 million has been invested in order to replace the two Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes as well as extending the the terminal length from 20 to 22 wagons.

We were then driven along the quay of the old Landguard Terminal which is now on longer in use and will be developed into Phase II of the Felixstowe South Reconfiguration when the demand increases in the future. 

We also saw 10 brand new Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes which were still being tested before they are officially handed over to the Port of Felixstowe. At the old Landgaurd Terminal, we saw the 3 Quayside Cranes which are no longer in use and are due to be demolished shortly.

The newly constructed Berths 8&9 were the next stop on our tour, were we got to see the brand new
Quayside Ship-to-Shore Gantry Cranes, which are the largest of their kind in the world and have the capability to operate on ships with containers stowed 24 wide on deck.

We were lucky enough that there was a vessel berthed alongside Berths 8&9 during our visit to the Port of Felixstowe. In fact the vessel, MSC Maria Saveria was on it's maiden voyage and was one of the largest container ships in the world, with the capacity to carry around 14,000 TEU and an overall length of 366 meters.

Trinity Terminal was next! Before entering the Terminal we viewed the North Rail Terminal, which will become the Central Rail Terminal when the third rail terminal at the north of Trinity Terminal opens.

We then entered Trinity Terminal and learnt about the various security procedures which container has to undergo when entering the Port of Felixstowe.

We were then driven through Trinity Terminal, which is truly gigantic. The terminal has an overall quay length of 2354 meters, so it was quite a drive through the countless stacks of containers.

Before making our way to the quayside, we had the opportunity to see the new Trinity North Rail or Third Rail Terminal, which is the newest development at the Port of Felixstowe and work had only just started a few weeks previously.

The sheer size of Trinity Terminal is truly unbelievable. It covers an area of 124.3 Ha and has a stacking capacitiy of 98,000 TEU. The terminal is equipped with 74 Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes and 27 Quayside Ship-to-Shore Gantry Cranes, which range in size, the smallest of which reach 13 containers across and the largest 22.

We then had the opportunity to view the quayside of Trinity Terminal, where we saw the numerous Quayside Ship-to-Shore Gantry cranes. As we were driven along the length of the quay is was very interesting to see just how the cranes have increased in size over time.

A number of vessels where berthed alongside Trinity Terminal, including another ultra large container vessel, Cosco Pride, which has an overall length 366m and arrived at the Port of Felixstowe for the first time in July 2011.

Due to the increasing size of container ships as well as the number of larger and larger ships, it is now quite common for their to be two vessels of this size berthed at the Port of Felixstowe. The Port of Felixstowe is the only port in the United Kingdom which has the ability to do this.

Upon finishing our tour of the Port of Felixstowe we were invited back to Tomline House, where we took the opportunity to unveil our previously assigned drawing of Maerk Line's Triple-E Class vessel to  Debbie Coe, Customer Relations, Manager, Port of Felixstowe.

Unfortunately  David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison Ports UK, was away during our visit, so on this occasion was not available to meet our executive team and view our drawing.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" My parents and I were delighted to have be given the opportunity to both visit and tour the Port of Felixstowe and had a truly magnificent time. It was fascinating to learn so much more about the Port of Felixstowe and see the various equipment and facilities up close."

He added:

" I would like to extend my greatest appreciation and thanks to the Port of Felixstowe, particularly Debbie Coe who made us feel so very welcome during our visit, and of course David Gledhill for allowing us to visit the port."

He concluded:

" It is fantastic to have now formed a connection and friendship with the Port of Felixstowe and I look forward to continuing this in the future."

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk        

Today, Monday 27th February 2012 is a very exciting day for Dream Designs Colchester, as we celebrate the milestone that is known by many cruise fans as 'double digits'. 

It is now just 99 days until we embark aboard Cunard Line's magnificent Queen Mary 2 in Southampton on June 5th 2012. 

Cunard Line's fleet are set to Rendezvous in Southampton to celebrate the Diamond Jubliee of Her Majesty The Queen, before a spectacular firework display later that evening during sailaway.

Joining Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester and his father Brian Cotterill, shall be our honourable Volunteer @ Sea, Patricia. Earlier this month we were delighted to receive the wonderful news that ship fan Robert Ellerington Parr will be joining Patricia aboard Queen Mary 2.

We recently took the opportunity to create an event page on Facebook to invited our loyal followers and fans to join us in Southampton for this historic occasion and celebration. We hope to have the opportunity to meet with many of our followers and fans who can make it to Southampton or even join us aboard Queen Mary 2 or of course Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth too!

We respect that a great number of our followers and fans do not live in the United Kingdom and will for that reason be unable to attend this spectacular event! We hope that they will instead join us in spirit and follow the latest developments, news and updates in the coming months leading up to the event. With this in mind, we would be delighted if they would click ‘Maybe’ on our new Facebook event page to show their support and we welcome any contribution anyone wishes to add to the page.

(You can join us on Facebook and visit our Cunard Diamond Jubliee & Royal Rendezvous Event Page by clicking on the logo to the right!)

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk       

Our latest quest will take one of our newest especially assigned drawings half way across the world on yet another exciting adventure!

Earlier this month we decided to especially assign a drawing of the beautiful Seabourn Quest.

We have now decided to take the opportunity to send the especially assigned drawing of Seabourn Quest to the Richard Meadows, President of Seabourn. 

Seabourn Quest is one of three new ships which have been built for Seabourn in recent years, her other two sister ships being Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Odyssey. Dream Designs Colchester followed the construction of the three vessels closely since the contract for the first 2 ships was signed a number of years ago.

Seabourn Quest which is the newest of the three sister vessels was officially launched in June 2011. Earlier this year the vessel departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, marking the beginning the of it's 109 night World Cruise.

We have not yet been fortunate enough to form a relationship or connection with Seabourn, but we hope to do so and become friends with another truly wonderful and very special cruise line. We hope that Richard Meadows, President of Seabourn will acknowledge our especially assigned drawing of Seabourn Quest.

We are currently working closely with some of our Volunteers @ Sea to look into the possibility of a ship tour and / or an drawing presentation aboard Seabourn Sojourn whilst the vessel is berthed at Southampton in September 2012.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" I do hope that Seabourn will be kind enough to acknowlegde our especially assigned drawing of Seabourn Quest and it shall be very interested to hear their thoughts and comments."

He added:

" I hope that by sending our latest drawing to Richard Meadows, President of Seabourn that we will be able to form a connection with Seabourn and perhaps start a friendship with them, like we have done with so many of cruise lines and various other companies and organisations across the world previously. "

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk      

Many of our loyal followers will remember that in November 2011 we especially assigned a brand new drawing of Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Spirit.

The drawing was sent to our U.S. Travel Agent contact, Reggie Atwell, who was kind enough to agree to present the drawing to the Captain of the vessel on our behalf.

Reggie was joined on board by a number of loyal followers of Dream Designs Colchester from the popular online cruise forum, CruiseLineFans. It was hoped that during their cruise they would have the opportunity to meet with the Captain to officially present our especially assigned drawing. Unfortunately on this occasion this was not possible.

Reggie Atwell, said:

" I did make every effort to meet with the Captain on Spirit to hand deliver your drawing. It seemed that every time we had a meet set up things happened and we had to reset. I did get the drawing and letters to the head purser that assured me they would be hand delivered to the Captain for his attention. I certainly hope that he replied to you."

We are currently planning on contacting Carnival Cruise Lines to see if they can find out if the Captain received our drawing of Carnival Spirit and what happened to our drawing. We shall do our best to keep you updated to stay tuned!

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" I was disappointed to be informed that on this occasion an official drawing presentation was unable to take place. I do hope that Carnival Cruise Lines will be able to help us and contact the Captain on our behalf. "

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk       

Dream Designs Colchester are very pleased to have this opportunity to share with some exciting news from our very latest developments.

We recently took the chance to contact David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison Ports UK, to request permission for a possible visit the Port of Felixstowe.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester and his parents, have been lucky enough to be given the opportunity to visit the Port of Felixstowe on Tuesday 28th February 2012.

The Port of Felixstowe is positioned on the South East coast of the United Kingdom. This is a wonderful position and is the an ideal place for vessels calling at many of the major European container ports across the North Sea. Not only is the Port of Felixstowe the largest container port in the United Kingdom, it is also one of the largest within Europe. 

Over 40% of the trade which is imported and exported through the United Kingdom passes through the Port of Felixstowe. More than 4,000 ships visit each year, including some of the largest container ships in the world. Approximately 40 different shipping lines operate from the Port of Felixstowe.

The Port of Felixstowe's Trinity Terminal provides its customers with a continuous quay length stretching over an impressive 2.3 kilometres. This huge expanse of dock is equipped with 27 ship-to-shore gantry cranes, many of which are capable of handling the largest container ships currently at sea.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester has personally had a close interest in the Port of Felixstowe for a number of years. When he was younger he would often visit the viewing point at Felixstowe to view the large container ships arrive and depart their berths.

On April 17th 2011, Dream Designs Colchester we invited to visit the world's largest container ship, Emma Maersk, whilst berthed alongside Trinty Terminal at the Port of Felixstowe. Whilst on board we were given the opportunity to officially present our especially assigned drawing of the vessel to the Captain, before touring the vessel.

In September 2011, the Port of Felixstowe officially opening of it's newly constructed Berths 8&9. These two new berths are the latest stage in the development of the Port of Felixstowe and are the only berths in the United Kingdom which are capable of working on the largest containers ships which are on order.

The new facility is equipped with the very latest technology including seven of the largest container cranes in the world. Each crane has the capability of operating on ships with container stowed 24-wide on deck. Construction of the second phase of the Felixstowe South Development will commence as soon as dictated by market demand. 

Berths 8&9 adds an additional 730 meters of quay to the Port of Felixstowe. The second phase when complete will give the new development a total quay length of over 1,200 meters. A further 6 container cranes will be added and the depth alongside has the capability to be deepened from 16 meters to 18 meters when required, as container ships continue to become larger and larger.

Below you can watch a video to learn more about Berths 8&9 at the Port of Felixstowe.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" We were delighted to received such a prompt response from the Port of Felixstowe and we are very excited to have been given the opportunity to visit the Port of Felixstowe on February 28th 2012."

He added:

" For many years now I have taken a great interest in the Port of Felixstowe and have followed both the planning and construction of Berths 8&9. It will be very interesting to perhaps see the new berths up close and learn more."

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk