River deep, prosperity high!

HAVING built up an amazing riverside complex in recent years, and benefitted from the comparably excellent transport links, there is no wonder ABP is now looking at the river for the next stage in the development of the south bank.
With the Humber undoubtedly a major gateway for UK Plc, and so much land still available to allow for expansion of an industry that really is the backbone to the area's economy, why not try and maximise every possibility.
By making the access channels deeper through dredging, it will mean even bigger vessels can reach Immingham, allowing for an even more economic use of the port and a better environmental position too. While care must be taken when such work is carried out, the relationship ABP enjoys with the relevant bodies such as the Natural England and the Envrionment Agency is one that will ensure anything is done sympathetically and responsibly.
While we have seen a lot of the potential the ports offer realised in the past 12 months, you get the feeling that there is so much more that could be done in this geographically blessed part of the UK.
It seems like the new owners are willing to continue the investment we have witnessed at such close quarters, because they have seen how the returns pour in, with another record-breaking year celebrated this week.
Not only does development mean more jobs, it also secures those already in place and allows other companies to benefit from the additional cargoes, especially in the logistics and forwarding fields.
Not only that, but as we are seeing in the bioenergy sector, port capacity can be a major attraction for firms who have to deal with imports and exports to operate. With land prices and availability stacked in northern Lincolnshire's favour, it is a promising time indeed with the port at the heart of everything.