Stena Line, one of Europe’s leading ferry operators, and the UK’s largest port operator, Associated British Ports (ABP), have announced the start of construction on a new multi-million-pound freight ferry terminal at the Port of Immingham. The project represents a joint investment of over £200 million and is set to strengthen the Humber region’s role as a key hub for unaccompanied freight traffic.

Situated in Lincolnshire, Immingham is rapidly emerging as a strategic centre for Stena Line, which currently operates two daily services from the Humber region to the Netherlands. ABP’s four ports along the Humber already constitute the UK’s busiest trade gateway by volume.

The new Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) facility, named the Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal (IERRT), will provide direct access to the main Humber Estuary. The development will enable faster sailing times and accommodate larger vessels, meeting growing freight demand from exporters and importers across the region and nationwide.

Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line said: “Stena Line has 20 routes across Northern Europe and the Mediterranean and Immingham port is a key part of that network. This project highlights our ongoing commitment to the North East of England but will also be integral to the expansion of freight operations on our routes between the UK and Continental Europe to meet demand.”

“In addition to this major investment, we signed a landmark long term agreement with ABP securing our operations at the new terminal in Immingham through to the next century. This long-term commitment reflects our confidence in the region and reinforces Immingham as one of several significant investments across our UK and Ireland network, as we continue to evolve and exceed the expectations of our customers.”

Henrik Pedersen, CEO of Associated British Ports, said: ”Associated British Ports is committed to fulfilling our mission to Keep Britian Trading as the UK’s largest and leading port operator. The Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal is the latest demonstration of this commitment. I’m delighted that we continue to deepen our long-term partnership with Stena Line and strengthening choice and supply chain resilience for UK businesses trading with Europe.”

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Simon Lightwood, said: “This £200 million investment into Immingham is a big win for Lincolnshire and the North. It means more jobs, more trade, and more growth. We’re making the UK one of the most attractive places to invest in the world, helping to drive innovation and boost the economy to deliver on our Plan for Change.”

Carl Johan Hellner, Chief Operating Officer, Ports and Terminals, Stena Line added: “We’ve already invested over £170 million in our Immingham operations over the past five years, and we remain focused on expanding capacity and delivering high-quality, efficient services to our customers. Our partnership with ABP is truly innovative, and as we advance this project, we’re excited about entering the next phase of our collaboration.”

Andy Dawes, Regional Director for the Humber for Associated British Ports, said “The move to construction phase is a welcome next step for the IERRT project, reflecting a lot of hard work by ABP and Stena Line colleagues. The new terminal will further enhance the Humber as the UK’s #1 gateway for trade, providing more options for customers to land their cargo closer to end markets and benefitting from the experience and well invested capabilities of ABP and Stena Line at Immingham.”

The terminal is expected to enhance efficiency for freight operators while supporting economic growth and trade across the Humber and wider UK markets.

As well as supporting the wider UK economy, especially in the Humber surrounding area and communities, the IERRT development will also create and support local jobs in its own right with around 700 construction jobs required in the near term and an additional 200 jobs in terminal operations on an ongoing basis.