FEATURE WAREHOUSING & PACKAGING
The Port-centric Approach
As the timber sector is under huge pressure with material shortages, Richard Parkinson, port director at Solent Gateway, discusses why your port and warehousing facilities are crucial aspects of the supply chain.
T
imber handling volumes have grown at an incredible
business, so it’s a unique, cost-effective opportunity that we’re offering
rate in the last year, which reflects the fact that overall
in an optimum location which results in the avoidance of cargo having
construction activity is expanding at its fastest pace
to go through Southampton City Centre.
since June 1997. COVID-19 has put incredible pressure
Marchwood Port has been an MOD cargo post since 1943 and
on global supply chains and although the recent joint statement
only part-developed so there is much opportunity to use the capacity
from the Confederation of Time Industries (CTI) and Swedish Wood
available and until now, there has never been access to commercial
suggests the market will soon stabilise, there will be a surplus of
business. The bonus of it being an MOD site is the high level of security
softwood stock at UK ports due to driver shortages, demonstrating
for your cargo.
the need for suitable warehousing options which offer more than just commercial space.
The dedicated rail line is a relatively unique offering which allows you to load straight from vessel onto rail and move goods across the
The UK supply chain is facing a multitude of challenges including
UK through the national rail network whilst reducing the traffic on the
an ageing infrastructure, HGV driver shortages, record-high prices and
roads. In the current climate, it would also alleviate some of the stress
record low space availability on sea freight options, new rules in trading
associated with the current HGV driver shortages.
with the EU and a UK-wide shortage of warehousing capacity. However,
We know the volume of imports of timber are very high and
there are options available which could meet your needs more than you
the wood has already been pre-sold and allocated to customers,
anticipated.
but it being stuck at ports and unable to reach building contractors,
There are a number of things to consider when choosing your
merchants and manufacturers isn’t sustainable. The current shortage
warehousing and how hard it works for you as a business. At Solent
of 65,000 HGV drivers means a solution to help with moving the goods
Gateway’s 225-acre Marchwood Port on the south coast of England for
away from ports is vital for a problem which isn’t going to be fixed
example, not only do we offer 85 acres of storage with both open and
overnight. The rail connectivity takes you to the main line at Totton,
closed options, but we also have sea, road and rail access, and with our
which is currently accessed three times a day with scope for more. And
Freeport status, typical VAT and customs rules don’t apply. This makes
if you aren’t affected by the current driver shortages, we’re just 15
it cheaper and easier for many raw materials entering the UK, teamed
minutes to the M27 and M3 motorways. We offer many incentives for new business including the option
with simple planning rules which helps us as a port quickly build or adapt premises where needed. Marchwood Port will be one of the very
for you to take land from us and build your own bespoke storage
first Freeport tax and customs sites that has new space available for
facility, if our current facilities don’t meet your needs for any reason.
Timber Trader UK Magazine
Autumn 2021
24
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