Dream Designs Colchester enjoy a VIP tour of Britain's Premier Port

Tomline House at the Port of Felixstowe

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.

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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.

Maersk Line's new design of their Triple-E Class vessels which are currently under construction in Korea, the first of which is due to be officially launched during 2013

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.

One of the new Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes at the South Rail Terminal

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 old quayside cranes at Landguard Terminal which are now 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.

The ultra large container vessel MSC Maria Saveria berthed alongside Berths 8&9 at the Port of Felixstowe during it's maiden voyage

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.

Two of the six Rail-Mounted Gantry Cranes at the North Rail Terminal at 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.

An impressive view of the endless stacks of containers within Trinity Terminal

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.

An impressive view of the gigantic Quayside Ship-to-Shore Gantry Cranes at Trinity Terminal towering above the quayside along the terminal's 2,354 meter length

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.

The 366 meter long Cosco Pride berthed alongside Trinity Terminal at the Port of Felixstowe

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 unveils his previously assigned drawing of Maersk Line's Triple-E Class vessel to Debbie Coe, Customer Relations Manager, Port of Felixstowe, at TomLine House during his visit to the Port of Felixstowe with his parents Brian & Diane Cotterill on February 28th 2012

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