The Port of Felixstowe has been at the forefront of the container industry for over 40 years and the development of Berths 8&9 - the first phase of the Felixstowe South development - will secure its position long into the future.

When complete, the entire development will provide 1,285 metres of quay, and with a depth of water alongside of 18 metres below chart datum, it is designed to accommodate future generations of container ships. The first phase, open in 2011, consists of 730 metres of quay, initially dredged to 16 metres depth; enough to handle all existing container ships.

As well as having a greater depth than any other UK container terminal, Berths 8&9 are equipped with the largest cranes of their type anywhere in the world. With an outreach of 62 metres, they are capable of handling container ships with 24 containers wide on deck. Each crane weighs approximately 2,000 tonnes and is able to lift two containers simultaneously, up to a total of 70 tonnes.

The container storage yard for the new facility has been enlarged by the reclamation of 28 hectares of river bed and, in Phase 1, has a capacity of 20,000 TEU.

The first phase of the development is equipped with 22 Rubber-Tyred Gantry cranes (RTGs). Designed to the latest standards, these Eco-RTGs have significantly lower emission levels than standard machines, and help make Berths 8&9 the lowest-carbon container terminal in the UK.