THE chief executive of one of Thurrock's biggest employers has spoken of his optimism for the borough's future despite the problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Charles Hammond is the boss of Forth Ports which owns and runs the Port of Tilbury and the newly opened neighbouring Tilbury2 facility.

And he is keen to draw the positive out of the lessons learned from the pandemic – particularly in relation to industry.

Writing on London First, an online portal set up by business leaders with the belief that they could drive positive change, Mr Hammond strikes an upbeat chord.

He says: "The pandemic has brought the UK's vulnerabilities to the fore, but the challenges of recovery stand to be compounded by the end of the transition period at the start of next year. There is, however cause for optimism.

"Having just completed the construction of a new £250 million Brexit-ready and COVID-19 compliant freight ferry terminal – Tilbury2, there are huge opportunities that can only be exercised with government purpose.

"We need a long-term resilience strategy underpinned by in-depth analysis that examines a range of weaknesses, from the frailties of our supply chains, future skills shortages to the residual capability required to maintain critical supplies in times of extreme need. All backed up by sustained action to address identified weaknesses.

"Amidst the terrible consequences of COVID-19, one of the few upsides has been an improved environment and recommitment to climate protection, and a focus on the efficiency and resilience throughout supply chains.

"There's growing belief that the COVID-19 pandemic will bring major changes and accelerate the transition to a lower carbon world."

And Mr Hammond highlighted the connectivity within his own industry, picking out a link with the neighbouring London Gateway port facility (technically a business rival) as a way industry is adapting.

He said: "Our new feeder service from the country's most advanced deep-sea container port, London Gateway, to Scotland's road, rail and sea freight hub at Grangemouth is a clear demonstration of how the market is shifting.

"Trans-ship direct from a European or UK hub port via a coastal feeder vessel – eliminating the long domestic road leg and the logistics industry's dependency on a diminishing pool of drivers willing to transit across Europe – by utilising an unaccompanied ferry or container freight route."

You can read Mr Hammond's full article here