Felixstowe mayor on Maersk port decision on London move

David Rowe said container volumes through Felixstowe were higher this year than last year and he was confident the port would be able to attract another shipping line to replace Maersk.

This week, Maersk announced that it would be leaving its consortia partnership with MSC, which involved sharing lines and vessels, in favour of partnering with Hapag-Lloyd to form a new line called Gemini Cooperation.

READ MORE: Maersk announces it is leaving Port of Felixstowe in Suffolk

Felixstowe mayor David Rowe said the port was still in a strong position and urged no panic (Image: Felixstowe Town Council) However, rather than being based at Felixstowe the newly-formed Gemini Cooperation will operate from London Gateway, with the move taking place in February.

The move has stoked fears that the county's infrastructure, particularly roads and rail, has fallen behind the transport networks on offer to shipping firms operating from other ports in the country.

Earlier this week, Mark Ling, director of I.C.E. Transport, which specialises in global freight shipping, said news of the move "did not come as a surprise" and Suffolk had "been asleep at the wheel".

READ MORE: Maersk speaks out after announcing plans to leave Felixstowe

Mark Ling, director of I.C.E Transport, said Suffolk had been asleep at the wheel regarding infrastructure (Image: Mark Ling) He said: "Up the road in London, they have been investing heavily, their roads are far superior to ours, their rail connection is superior to ours and they have been pushing for investment to make the roads motorway standard.

"[London Gateway] are ambitious, they are looking enviously at what we have here and are pursuing it, whilst we have been complacent here."

Paul Simon, head of public affairs and strategic communications at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said Maersk's move made it even more important that infrastructure was the best it can be (Image: Charlotte Bond) Meanwhile, Paul Simon, head of public affairs and strategic communications at Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, which represents the business community, said Maersk's relocation made it "even more important" that road and rail infrastructure out of the Port of Felixstowe was the "best it can be".

Mr Rowe said some of the problems with rail were not in Felixstowe's control and even if the infrastructure was improved in this area, there were "bottlenecks" further down the line that could hold up freight transport, such as at the Ely junction.

READ MORE: Felixstowe news

"I think Felixstowe is in a strong position to take some of the biggest ships in the world.

"I accept that if you are transporting stuff to southern England then London Gateway is closer, but if you are transporting to the midlands and the north, then provided we can get the rail lines sorted, then Felixstowe will be in a strong position.

"Shipping lines move around all the time, I don't think we need to panic, but my view is obviously that I would prefer Maersk not to move because obviously it is better for Felixstowe," Mr Rowe said.

Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter has written to the secretary of state for transport calling for more investment in Suffolk's infrastructure (Image: Labour Party) However, Suffolk Coastal MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter has written to Louise Haigh, Transport Secretary, calling for investment in infrastructure, including rail improvements at Haughley and Ely junction and upgrades to the A14.

She said: "As the UK's largest and busiest port and a major contributor to national GDP, we must be investing in the transport infrastructure that surrounds Felixstowe to ensure that it remains competitive – especially our roads and our rail links.

READ MORE: Suffolk news

"We have a history of complacency and under investment in transport infrastructure in the East of England – and we need the new Labour government to invest where the previous government failed.  

"Investment in our region’s transport infrastructure will be essential to the port’s future success and by extension the success of Felixstowe town, Suffolk and our wider region. 

"In light of this, I have written to the secretary of state for transport to highlight the urgent need for further transport infrastructure investment in Suffolk and the area surrounding Felixstowe, such as the Haughley and Ely junction, as well as the long overdue upgrades to the A14.  

"I will continue working alongside the port, local stakeholders and national government to push for the necessary investment that will secure the future of our region and its communities."