In recent years the Port of Felixstowe has been at the forefront of new methods of satisfying the changing distribution needs of importers, manufacturers and retailers across the UK.

In addition to providing top-quality port facilities, perfectly placed to serve the UK’s largest populated areas, the Port offers cargo-owners a wide range of services to enhance supply-chain efficiency, whether they are handling fast-moving consumer goods or the growing demand for non-foods, general merchandise and electrical items.

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain, and in line with the changing nature of the way ports integrate, a wide range of established third-party operators now combine at Felixstowe to provide a comprehensive UK-wide distribution network.

This highly successful arrangement has evolved into a series of mature relationships with importers and cargo-owners to ensure the best possible distribution service at all times.

It means that the most cost-effective options can be utilised by optimising every link in the chain while, at the same time, removing any that are unnecessary.

Port-centric Logistics
from concept to reality

At the Port of Felixstowe, we believe a sea container is exactly what its name suggests – the optimum transportation unit port-to-port and not necessarily the correct solution for UK-wide cargo distribution.

Why haul a container 100 miles inland to unload and then have the expense and inconvenience of hauling the empty box all the way back?

In direct response to the growing trend in overseas manufacturing and in conjunction with many of the Group’s port and logistics operations in countries of origin, Hutchison’s UK ports have increasingly established themselves as leaders in the field of Global Logistics. From ‘Factory Gate – Postcode Delivered’, the Group now has responsibility for a growing number of manufacturing brands all wishing to take advantage of Hutchison’s unique position. Whether it’s a full end-to-end service or simply an element of cross-docking and consolidation, a package of Managed Logistics Services can be tailored to cater for the entire needs of a cargo-owner.

Hutchison’s Port-centric Logistics – concentrating on supply-chain solutions at the very point of landing in the EU. Leveraging the advantages of a port location, offering devanning, consolidation and bonding all within the security of a policed complex, Hutchison’s ports continue to work closely with both the Shipper and Consignee. By challenging the ‘traditional model’ whole sections of the supply chain have been removed and with them, expensive and wasteful practices. Early visibility, fast tracking, elimination of demurrage and the driving down of inventory levels are just a few of the advantages to be realised from the services on offer. Multi-modal capabilities for break-bulk cargoes are also available including inbound rail distribution and next-day continental European deliveries by trailer direct from our logistics centre.

The vast majority of warehousing is now assigned to the provision of Managed Logistics Services and each year over 20,000 containers are devanned before palletisation, labelling, conditioning, picking and packing for onward distribution. Over the past five years Hutchison Ports (UK) has successfully developed its relationships with the retail multiples and their suppliers to cater for the growing requirement for imported non-foods and general merchandise. Specialising in the handling of bonded goods, including cased wines, beers and spirits, has led to an increase in fully-managed, wet bonded facilities at Felixstowe.

All of the Port of Felixstowe’s 23 warehouses are located within the HM Revenue and Customs wharf-approved area providing the cargo owner with the unique opportunity to benefit from importing containers that would otherwise be overweight for travel on UK roads.

The port’s ‘wet’ bonded facilities have increased 10-fold during 2006, complimenting identical facilities developed in Thamesport the previous year and meeting the increasing demand being experienced in particular from wine producers and importers.

Investment in the latest inventory management and supply chain tracking technology is essential. In keeping with most recent demands from the Retail Industry, Hutchison’s Ports operate the latest RFID (Radio Frequency Identity) systems, with the experience and development of bar-coding and data tagging solutions since the late 1980s. With demand increasing steadily, further dedicated racked warehousing has now been introduced at both Felixstowe and Thamesport.