Huge Humber ferry terminal plan for ABP and Stena Line is scaled down

Plans for a new freight-focused ferry terminal at Immingham have been downsized following consultation and further technical work.

One of the four proposed new roll-on roll-off berths has been dropped, reducing the size of the scheme, part of a £100 million commitment revealed in January.

Associated British Ports has agreed a 50-year partnership with Stena Line on the major expansion project focused on the eastern flank of the UK’s largest port.

Proposals were scaled down after analysis of responses, representations and a commissioned navigation simulation.

It will see the berth nearest the shore not developed, reducing the size of the required dredged berth pocket and – due to the 25 per cent cut in anticipated vehicle throughput – a trailer park area within the port estate is also being removed.

An indicative view of Port of Immingham with the proposed four-berth roll-on roll-off terminal. — First impression: The original indicative view of Port of Immingham with the initial four-berth roll-on roll-off terminal.
(Image: ABP)

Simon Bird, ABP’s director in the Humber, said: “The redesigned proposals are as a direct result of the very helpful responses and representations that ABP received during the consultation process from regulators, stakeholders and the public.”

The company will now work up the development consent order application for what is to be known as Immingham Eastern Roll-on Roll-off Terminal, ahead of submission this summer.

If successful, construction is anticipated to start in mid-2023, with completion in spring 2025.

Material impact on the cost of the development, expected to create hundreds of jobs, has not been revealed – with much of the marine infrastructure the same.

It has been described as a “major long-term commitment and boost for the region where freight on routes to and from the EU has been booming since Brexit,” enhancing connections to the continent and reducing the reliance on southern ports.