Work has started on a new £200m freight ferry terminal at the Port of Immingham.

A  joint venture of ferry company Stena Line and UK port operator, Associated British Ports (ABP), is behind the development to boost to the Humber region where the unaccompanied freight market has been steadily growing.

Located in Lincolnshire, Immingham is becoming a strategic hub for Stena Line, which currently runs two daily services from the Humber region to The Netherlands. ABP’s four Humber ports collectively already make up the UK’s number one gateway for trade by volume.

The new roll on-roll off (RoRo) terminal, known as the Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal (IERRT), will provide access to the main Humber Estuary, allowing for quicker sailing times and the option to use larger vessels to cater for increased freight demand from exporters and importers from across the region and the rest of the UK.

Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, said: “Stena Line has 20 routes across Northern Europe and the Mediterranean and Immingham port is a key part of that network. This project highlights our ongoing commitment to the North East of England but will also be integral to the expansion of freight operations on our routes between the UK and Continental Europe to meet demand.

“In addition to this major investment, we signed a landmark long term agreement with ABP securing our operations at the new terminal in Immingham through to the next century. This long-term commitment reflects our confidence in the region and reinforces Immingham as one of several significant investments across our UK and Ireland network, as we continue to evolve and exceed the expectations of our customers.”

Henrik Pedersen, CEO of Associated British Ports, added: ”Associated British Ports is committed to fulfilling our mission to Keep Britian Trading as the UK’s largest and leading port operator. The Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal is the latest demonstration of this commitment. I’m delighted that we continue to deepen our long-term partnership with Stena Line and strengthening choice and supply chain resilience for UK businesses trading with Europe.”  

Stena Line has already invested more than £170m in its Immingham operations over the past five years.  

As well as supporting the wider UK economy, especially in the Humber surrounding area and communities, the IERRT development will also create and support local jobs - around 700 construction jobs required in the near term and an additional 200 jobs in terminal operations on an ongoing basis.