3 February 2011
When the largest steel producer in the world, Arcelor Mittal, determined that it needed a new, larger and improved importing facility for its UK sheet piling business, known as Arcelor Mittal RPS UK, they chose to move their importing and distribution operations 'lock, stock and barrel' to Shoreham Port.
The port will be handling the imported steel onto their newly extended Brighton Terminal where a paved and floodlit area of 13,000 square metres has been reserved and facilities for the unloading and transhipment of steel are being improved.
The first shipment of steel piles was successfully unloaded into the Port in January and a further 20,000 tonnes is expected to arrive by the end of the year. In addition to new welfare and operating facilities, Shoreham Port is backing Arcelor Mittal's move with a very significant investment in a new crane to handle bundles of steel of up to 15 tonnes. The Sennebogen 880 quayside crane is expected to arrive in late spring and will be assembled on the Port ready to begin work in June.
The Port's Operations Director, Alan Motterham, is very excited about the new trade. "To welcome a new trading partner as prestigious as Arcelor Mittal to the Port is tremendous news for us and the local economy. The new business expected to create up to ten full-time jobs initially on site and more work for support service companies throughout the area", said Alan.
