London Thamesport Handles High-Energy Specialist Cargo

London Thamesport is playing its part in an international energy operation, having taken delivery of a second transformer for the organisation BritNed.

BritNed is a joint venture between National Grid and TenneT. The goal is to construct and operate an electricity link between the Isle of Grain in Great Britain and Maasvlakte in Rotterdam, the first, and only, one of its kind.

Manufactured in Germany by Siemens, the transformer is one of fourteen destined for the project, all weighing approximately 200 tonnes. They are designed to ensure that the 1,000MW that can be transmitted across the BritNed cable will be able to connect to the transmission networks in Great Britain (400kV) and the Netherlands (380kV) easily and efficiently.

David Gledhill, Chief Exective Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns London Thamesport commented:

Although best known as a container port, we have the experience and skills at London Thamesport to handle a range of other cargo types. These heavy-lift items were handled quickly and efficiently and we can offer a similar service to a range of other break-bulk cargoes.

London Thamesport also has a bulk-handling facility developed for Resin Trade that transfers dry bulk pellets from containers, to a silo, before delivery to road vehicles, and extensive warehouse facilities.