Portico‘s diversification strategy is continuing to drive new types of cargo to Portsmouth, as the agency handled four new vessels last week, with paper, agribulks, containers and project cargo passing through. 

Project cargo was delivered onboard the Karoline on Friday. Bound for HS2 project, 36 large steels pipes have been unloaded at the terminal. The agency reminded it has invested in modernising its equipment, including harbour cranes which can handle tandem lifts of up to 250 tonnes. This means Portico can handle a wide range of specialist cargo.

Paper has been unloaded at the terminal for the first time. 22,000 pallets of printer paper have been unloaded from the hold of the Ansac Pride, for distribution across the UK.

Alongside this, Portsmouth has also seen two vessels load up with over 7,000 tonnes of agribulks for export to continental Europe. Working with partners at Portsmouth International Port, spare berth capacity was used to facilitate the loading of these ships whilst Portico’s conventional berths have been occupied by other customers. This includes the regular Musketier lo-lo service to the Channel Islands operated by Ferryspeed.

Steve Williams, operations director at Portico said, “Over the past few years we’ve continued to to diversify the types of cargo we can handle here at the terminal.” He added that the agency can move from handling containers to specialist project cargo, and the proximity to the M275 means that freight can be on the road in minutes.