A MAJOR new bulk storage and handling facility has opened at Berth 43 at the Port of Tilbury for long-term Forth Ports customer, Cefetra, one of the UK's major traders of grains and animal feed raw materials.

The purpose-built facility, with a floor space of around 14,000 square metres - the size equivalent of two full-sized football pitches - will be used for the storage and handling of imported animal feed products including soyabean meal, up to 65,000 tonnes, with the facility being designed around direct vessel discharge operations, improving efficiency and reducing cargo handling movements.

The project strengthens the Port of Tilbury's position as a leading UK gateway for agricultural commodities and bulk cargoes and represents a significant investment in modern port infrastructure,

This new facility also supports the UK agricultural supply chains through the efficient import, storage and distribution of animal feed products, playing a key role in the UK economy.

Forth Ports has built a long-standing partnership with Cefetra at the Port of Tilbury, supporting the efficient movement and storage of agricultural products into the UK market. Located on the Thames, the Port of Tilbury provides Cefetra with an important gateway to customers across the South and East of England, supported by the port's specialist cargo-handling and logistics capabilities.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive at Forth Ports, said: "This new bulk storage and handling facility in Tilbury demonstrates our commitment to further investment across our port infrastructure across the UK and confirms the strong, long-lasting relationship we have with Cefetra.

"This is an exciting chapter in our partnership as Forth Ports and Cefetra continue to play a vital role in the UK agricultural supply chain."

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Andrew Mackay, Chief Executive at Cefetra, commented: "This new facility at Berth 43 is a significant step forward for our operations in the UK, giving us modern, purpose-built infrastructure to handle animal feed imports more efficiently and reliably for our customers.

"Forth Ports has been an outstanding partner over many years, and this investment builds on the strong foundations of our relationship at Tilbury and across their wider port network. We look forward to continuing to grow together and supporting the UK's agricultural supply chain."

The partnership is part of a wider, long-term relationship between Forth Ports and Cefetra across the company's UK port network. This has included significant investment in dedicated agricultural infrastructure and capacity, most notably through the development of Cefetra's major agri-hub at the Port of Rosyth.