Port News

News page

Restructuring At Fresh Fruit Terminals, Sheerness

For Immediate Release - 18 July, 2007

A formula for change that will benefit fresh produce importers into the UK and reduce the food industry's supply chain miles, is being applied at the major gateway port of Sheerness.

Capespan Ltd and Medway Ports are to operate independently but under the same roof they have shared as joint venture partners in Fresh Fruit Terminals (Sheerness) Ltd since 1999.

Capespan Limited will now use the dedicated services of FFTS, which will operate in a segregated footprint within the Terminal, and the Kent port operator will focus on offering its own totally separate service to other players in the trade.

Both independent operations will continue to benefit from utilising the purpose built 30,000 sq metre quayside fresh produce terminal, plus the logistics advantages offered by the Port of Sheerness.

Said Medway Ports' Managing Director Des Crampton: "The two companies will continue to be good neighbours, but will operate totally independently of each other. This change will allow Capespan to further develop the competitive advantages afforded by the dedicated retail-focussed services provided by FFTS with its reduced footprint, while enabling other players in the fresh produce trade to enjoy the same distinct advantages and services offered by Sheerness, through Medway Ports.

"I have no doubt that more and more companies will want to save supply chain miles and costs and reduce the industry's carbon footprint by focussing their imports on Sheerness. Medway Ports enables them to transport direct to supermarket regional distribution centres, eliminating the double handling involved in trucking from another gateway to an inland depot for out-turn and eventual transfer by road to the waiting RDC."

Ben Ward, Director of Capespan Ltd said: "The restructuring of the Fresh Fruit Terminals joint venture at Sheerness allows each of the partners to improve their respective service offerings to our retail and trade customers and it allows us to respond to shifts in the marketplace in a manner that best suits our own businesses. Capespan have long been committed to maximising the value added services performed on the quayside while at the same time operating an efficient consolidation hub to allow onward distribution benefits. This restructuring represents a re-alignment of a long term relationship with Medway Ports which will benefit both parties."

Press Enquiries:

News page