The arrival of the container ship at Albert Johnson Quay marked a change in business for MMD Ltd, the Port owned fruit import specialists. Previously cargo on the route from Central America had been carried on traditional reefer vessels, largely transported on pallets. However, Fyffes has decided to use larger ships from now on, with all the bananas being kept in containers.

Staff at MMD unloaded the hundreds of containers full of fruit when the vessel arrived. Portsmouth International Port was the first port of call for the Maersk Antwerp Trader on its journey from Colombia. It then headed off to Antwerp and Rotterdam. This also marked a major change. In the past reefer vessels carrying Fyffes bananas would have called at Antwerp first before sailing onto Portsmouth.

This was the first of a new weekly service operated by Maersk Line, the world’s largest shipping company, and a move made possible by a recent £5 million pound investment in the Port’s future. Recent work to demolish the “Floating Dock Jetty” means Maersk Line can bring its vessels to Portsmouth, with easier navigation within the Port.

The Port Manager, Martin Putman, was waiting to greet the vessel when it arrived at around six in the evening. A new container handler has been purchased to unload the cargo, new investment that Martin believes is safeguarding the future of the Port.

Talking about the arrival Martin Putman said, “This is an important milestone for Portsmouth International Port. Not only does it show how necessary recent investment has been, making the Port safer for bigger vessels, but it also demonstrates our ability to be flexible in a dynamic market, delivering the changes that our customers require.  The Port is moving with the times and cruising into the container age.”

Cllr Donna Jones, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: “It is fantastic news that we have welcomed the biggest cargo ship to have ever visited Portsmouth and it shows our ambition for the Port and MMD as a council-owned business. We have made significant investment in the Port and it is now in an even stronger position to compete for business from around the world and create new jobs and opportunities for those in the city.”

Source: Portsmouth International Port, 2 February 2016