Portico terminal books growth on diversification programme

Portico terminal in Portsmouth has reaped the rewards of a diversification programme that reduced the terminal’s reliance on specific cargoes. This was achieved by investing in new equipment that can handle a wide range of commodities.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Portico in Portsmouth has recorded a 21 percent increase in vehicle movements at the international cargo terminal since 2018. Investment in automation has also reduced the time needed to process vehicles arriving on-site.

Additionally, in November last year, Portico demonstrated this versatility by handling four different types of cargo over one week. This included paper, grain, project cargo for HS2 and containers across their two deep water quays, and by utilising berths at neighbouring Portsmouth International Port.

The terminal also had an important role to play in helping to solve the empty container crisis, with 10,000 TEUs moved through Portsmouth to be consolidated and sent back to where they were needed. Long-term contracts with customers such as Geest Line and Africa Express Lines have also helped the business plan for the future.

Steve Williams, operations director at Portico, said, “The investment in automation means that the speed of processing at Portico is now rapid. Our automatic gates will welcome lorries the moment they arrive, and all the paperwork can be pre-cleared. The concept of hauliers sitting in their cabs, waiting in queues, is eliminated.

“For importers and exporters, Portsmouth is convenient for much of the UK with a motorway going direct to our door. The A3 goes direct to London and the M3 connects the Midlands. Our location means no more nightmare of circumnavigating the M25, and your reliance on long distance road haulage can be reduced”.