Baltic Distribution Ltd (BDL) has been working with globally operating Independent Port Consultants (IPC) on a programme to upgrade facilities and improve services at the port of Creeksea.
BDL, which was established in 1998, is now part of Nasdaq Stockholm-listed Bergs Timber AB of Sweden. Its 45-acre facility on the river Crouch at Creeksea is under 50 miles from the centre of London. As well as 140,000m3 of forest products, it handles 70,000 tonnes of steel rebar, coil and mesh annually, providing services from vessel discharge to inland transport via its in-house transport division.
BDL operates a timber liner service from Riga to Creeksea, with regular sailings every two weeks, plus other liner routes from Sweden and other supply sources. Its objectives, it says, are “helping UK customers to maintain an efficient, cost-effective flow of goods” and giving international clients a “bridgehead into the UK”.
Timber products handled range from sawn goods, poles and sheet materials, to garden fencing and furniture and items for the furniture industry. It provides storage, wood treatment in its own high pressure plant, and logistics support, both through its in-house transport division and third-party operations.
The port of Creeksea was first developed in 1929. It has an 8m water-depth jetty and open and undercover storage, with the latter comprising 19,000m2 of warehousing for timber and steel.
With the jetty more than 50 years old and cranes more than 40, the aim of the development programme was to increase monthly vessel numbers, “improve operational reliability and secure port assets”.
BDL called in IPC to undertake feasibility studies for the upgrade and assess the market potential of the port.
IPC has a team of experts working worldwide advising on port development, cargo handling and marine services. It also provides technical advisory services in port design and construction, with work ranging from harbour and terminal infrastructure to superstructure design.
At Creeksea, the IPC team did a visual assessment of the jetty condition and looked at options to improve throughput with crane repairs and upgrades. They also undertook an overview of the local market and growth opportunities and an operational review to identify limitations and options for improvement, plus an outline business valuation.
The consultants then managed an underwater inspection of the jetty and concrete testing to confirm its existing condition, loading capacity and ability to carry existing or upgraded cranes and life expectancy.
“The next stage was to oversee design and costing of repair and upgrade options for the jetty, guiding selection of the preferred path forward to secure it longer term for upgraded crane use,” said IPC’s Steve Cameron. “We also recruited an interim terminal manager for six months and managed selection and appointment of a permanent general manager.”
BDL Creeksea general manager Rob Brown said that the project had provided “valuable assistance in future proofing port assets”.
“IPC helped us develop a framework to identify the work needed to enable us to significantly improve the port’s working capacity, upgrade the cranes and improve our profitability,” he said. “They joined up the dots and brought the right parties together to make the project work.”
Scheduled to finish in 2023, he added, the work on the port is a “significant, long-term investment”.
Aspects of the upgrade completed have already led to an increase in throughput.
“When IPC commenced its work, Creeksea was doing four vessels per month. It has since peaked at eight,” said Mr Brown. “Doubling throughput was hard work, but do-able thanks to the refurbishment of two cranes and a focus on staff and improved overall performance.”
