MoD and ABP demo port agreement at Immingham

Image courtesy British Army / MoD

As the 23,000-tonne strategic Ro-Ro vessel, Eddystone inched its way through the massive locks separating the Humber estuary from the calmer waters of Associated British Ports’ facilities at the Port of Immingham, a milestone was being achieved in how UK Defence will project its global presence in the years to come.

The arrival of the Eddystone packed to the gunwales with military hardware from the Greek port of Alexandropoulos followed Exercise Steadfast Dart in Romania. This marked the first practical demonstration of the recently signed strategic agreement between the MoD and Associated British Ports (ABP) that allows their numerous sites around the UK coastline to be used by UK Defence to ship its equipment and vehicles when it deploys overseas on operations and exercises.

Previously, the British Army’s vehicles, armour and thousands of tonnes of equipment would pass through its sole military port facility located at Marchwood, close to Southampton. The new agreement is of strategic significance as it provides additional options to Marchwood greatly reducing the associated risks of a single choice of port. In today’s unfolding geopolitical scene, the threat from aggressive states and actors is very real. NATO and our partner nations need UK forces to be able to rapidly deploy to deter, assure and – when the need arises – react to any player who would wish to undermine the security of Europe.

The new strategic agreement with Associated British Ports plays an important role in strengthening the UK’s strategic base, bringing about increased speed and capacity with greatly reduced risk when deploying overseas that will certainly contribute to the lethality of Britain’s land forces.

Chief of Defence Logistics and Support, Vice Admiral Andy Kyte CB, key signatory to the strategic agreement said: "I’m delighted to see the first demonstration of the new agreement between MoD and ABP come to life at Immingham port. This agreement marks a significant step in boosting the resilience, efficiency and agility of Defence’s Sea Mounting Capability by leveraging ABP’s national port estate. The partnership with ABP plays a pivotal role in fortifying the UK Strategic Base, a cornerstone essential for Defence to effectively deploy, sustain and recover force elements."

Aside from the strategic implications, the agreement spawns further benefits and efficiencies. Points of disembarkation for deploying units can be selected closer to their garrison locations resulting in less road moves with subsequent fuel and monetary savings and, of course, a much-reduced impact on the carbon footprint. In this case, the vehicles rolling off the Eddystone at Immingham will journey on to their final destinations at Catterick in Yorkshire and Oakham in Leicestershire rather than having to make the long drive up from the south coast.

Major General Jo Chestnutt, Field Army Deputy Chief of Staff said: "I am thrilled to see our new strategic relationship with ABP transition from concept to operational capability so quickly at Immingham Port. Joint effort to build an enduring and trusting partnership will deliver a step change in our ability to deploy, sustain and recover military capability. Access to the ABP port network provides the UK with a significantly more robust, resilient and efficient capability to deliver Sea Mounting as part of strategic base outload."



Andrew Dawes, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “The Humber ports are in a key strategic position on the UK east coast and this is a great honour to be offering Immingham to support the UK’s Armed Forces. Not only does this port call provide a local and cost-effective operation for the Desert Rats, it also gives all parties valuable experience of operating in different ABP locations and the options our port locations offer to scale up.”

Richard Parkinson, ABP’s Senior MoD Engagement Lead said: “The discharge of the military hardware was the first since ABP signed the agreement. As the UK’s largest port operator, our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence gives it additional sea mounting resilience and enables seamless deployment and recovery of military vehicles and equipment across the nation, ensuring readiness for overseas missions.”