New roll-on roll-off ship facilities planned at West Bank terminal

Work will begin at the end of June on the �3.5m project and Associated British Ports hope it will be completed by the end of January 2005.

Robert Smith, ABP's port manager in Ipswich, said the changes will make a huge difference.

"The ship operators want to expand but are prevented because of the single roll-on roll-off ramp.

"We are going to build a new berth with a second ramp so their business can grow and the port can expand.

"Ferryways want to introduce four ships on their route to Ostend and we want to see our roll-on roll-off activities continue to grow."

20-year agreement

Associated British Ports who took over Ipswich seven years ago have come to a 20-year agreement with shipping operator Ferryways.

The port operator has already invested �20m in facilities at the West Bank terminal since taking over at Ipswich

The new berth will be built on land already reclaimed from the River Orwell which flows through the port.

A new 150m long quay wall, a hydraulically operated link bridge, a tug berth and two protective-mooring dolphins will be built.