News Release

17th April 2003

Planning Applications Submitted for Bathside Bay Development


17-Apr-2003

Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited (‘HPUK’), on behalf of Harwich International Port, today submitted three Town and County Planning Act applications to Tendring District Council for the development of Harwich International Port Container Terminal (‘HIPCT’) at Bathside Bay.

The planning applications mainly relate to the “landside” elements of HPUK’s proposals, within the jurisdiction of Tendring District Council as local planning authority. They comprise; an application to construct the operational area of the Port, the construction of a small boat harbour and public amenity area at Gas House Creek, and a Listed Building Consent application for the partial removal of the jetty attached to the Train Ferry Berth in Gas House Creek. The operational area will include a 1,400-metre quay, container handling and stacking area and associated facilities.

To accompany these submissions, HPUK held an inaugural exhibition on plans for HIPCT at Harwich International Port on Wednesday 16th April, at which executives from HPUK answered questions from a range of elected representatives and local organisations.

HPUK will also be holding public exhibitions on the proposals for the development. These will be held at Shotley Village Hall, Harwich International Port, Harwich Safeway, Dovercourt Fiveways Superstore and Harwich Library.

Richard Pearson, Managing Director of HPUK, commented:

“We are fully committed to the development of new deep-water container capacity, both at Bathside Bay and the nearby Port of Felixstowe. It is vital that, in order to remain competitive with European ports, the UK creates additional new deep-water facilities to service the latest generation of large container vessels afloat today.”

He continued:

“Together with the extension of Trinity Terminal and the re-development of the Southern part of the Port of Felixstowe, the plans for Bathside Bay will bring the total container capacity within the Harwich Haven to some 6.9 million TEUs, which is excellent news for both the local and national economy.”

The development of HIPCT could make Harwich International Port the second largest container port in the UK, almost doubling the total quay length to 3,000 metres, and enabling the Port to handle up to four deep-sea container vessels simultaneously. It will provide an additional 772 new jobs, plus many more in associated industries.