Associated British Ports (ABP) has appointed building and civil engineering company Britcon to build a new £2.1 million ‘bulk store’ at its busy port in King’s Lynn.
The contract includes the delivery of an 85m by 40m, steel-framed, reinforced concrete building to store dry bulk in four separate bays. Britcon will install internal features such as LED lighting, SPV panels to the roof as well as external yard surfacing.
ABP is the UK’s leading ports operator with a network of 21 ports across the UK. In 2015 ABP handled 92 million tonnes of cargo, support 84,000 jobs and contributes £5.6 billion to the UK economy every year.
The 97-acre Port of King’s Lynn handles around 500,000 tonnes of good each year comprising dry bulks, forest products, steel and other metals.
Britcon will start construction this month and expects to complete the project in July,
The contract follows Britcon’s successful bid as main contractor to build a £5 million Marine Control Tower for ABP in Grimsby. The new four storey facility is to replace the existing Vessel Traffic Services centre at Spurn Point, which has become increasingly difficult to access by land because of the progressive deterioration of the peninsula.
The project, due to complete in May this year, incorporates a number of environmental measures, including rain water recycling, motion sensors on LED lighting and solar panels and ground heat exchangers. Over its lifespan the new building will deliver an estimated carbon saving of 3725 tonnes.
Britcon, along with sister company Specialist Surfacing, maintains a long-standing working relationship with ABP with a 25-year history in assisting with its building requirements. It has previously delivered a £2 million design and build project for a new bulk store, process plant and storage facility known as IAWS, and delivered the 8500 sqm, £2 million ‘Forest Projects Terminal, both at Immingham. Britcon was also employed as Principal Contractor by ABP to undertake construction of a £4.5 million vehicle import terminal at the port of Grimsby.
John Whitmore, Director at Britcon said, “ABP remains one of our largest clients for which we have become a reliable partner in supporting major build projects across its ports. Indeed, some of our senior team have worked on projects for ABP for over 25 years! We are delighted to secure this exclusive contract which is testament to our sustained approach to delivering value engineering, every time. Our long-term relationship has been built on trust and experience and we look forward to at least another 25 years supporting the group.”
Britcon has extensive experience in the ports industry with other key clients including DFDS Seaways, CRO Ports and VAG Ports.