Associated British Ports (ABP) and Tata Steel Europe (TSE) have been recognised with an award for an innovative steel loading operation that ensured the delivery of a large parcel of steel from the Port of Port Talbot.
The Logistics Best Practice Award was awarded to ABP and TSE by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Technology (CILT) at their Cymru-Wales National Transport and Logistics Awards 2015.
A 40,000 tonne consignment of steel from the TSE Steelworks at Port Talbot had to be shipped out in small parcels on coasters and then transferred, ship to ship, to a 60,000 tonne Supramax vessel that was too big to pass through the lock gates and had to be berthed outside. The 24-hour operation, which required 70 stevedores, 10 specially modified lorries and four coasters, consolidated the 40,000t consignment of steel on one vessel, keeping shipping costs down and the steel’s price competitive on the global market.
Since the initial Supramax steel loading operation a second successful shipment has been completed. ABP continue to work closely alongside TSE to develop the operation into a long term venture to bring further economic growth to the area.
Small South Wales businesses are also benefitting, with more than 25% of the revenue going to local contractors.
CILT Cymru said that: “The ABP and Tata Steel entry was a worthy winner amongst a strong set of entries, and showed how effective joint working in logistics can deliver real benefits for Welsh industry.”
The CILT Cymru-Wales awards represent excellence in transport and logistics. 2015 marks the 14th year of the awards which were held at City Hall, Cardiff, on Friday 12 June.
Matthew Kennerley, ABP Director, South Wales, said: “This was a highly skilled operation that shows the depth of expertise and experience we are able to call on in South Wales. I’m proud of both the teamwork and the innovation under pressure that enabled us to deliver a result for our client and to develop an opportunity to grow the steel export business here.”
Mike Nightingale, Head of Logistics Operations, Tata Steel Europe, said that: “Great solutions come from working together. We’ve worked-out and proven that a new idea works to solve an important logistical problem – ensuring that the impact for the community is entirely positive. It’s the result of a great partnership between ABP and Tata Steel.”
ABP’s facilities at Port Talbot support local steel production. This helps TSE, the largest manufacturing company in the UK, support more than 18,000 jobs in Wales. Port Talbot is one of five ports operated by ABP in South Wales. The other four are Barry, Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea. Collectively these five ports contribute £1.4bn to the UK economy every year.
