Since the development of SCT’s feeder facility at berth 203 and the purchase of a dedicated 100-tonne mobile harbour crane, SCT’s feeder business has doubled from four to eight weekly services.

During the month of November, 21 feeder vessels were handled on berth 203 with a combined total for the month of 2500 boxes being moved across the quay by the mobile harbour crane. 

Neil Fletcher, Operations Development Manager, involved in the feeder berth development said:

“We have provided this facility to encourage more feeder traffic to call at Southampton, so I’m naturally delighted to see 21 feeder vessels calling in one month.  SCT’s objective for 2007 is for feeder traffic to account for 10% of total throughput, so we will continue to work hard at attracting even more vessels, maximising the use of the mobile harbour crane and increasing productivity.”

On 29 November 2006, the terminal handled the first vessel, Elisabeth, to call on the new weekly feeder service between Southampton and Grangemouth, operated by OOCL.