ABP welcomes new £1m pilot launch vessel to Humber
(Posted on 11/07/21)
Associated British Ports (ABP) has welcomed the first of five new pilot launch vessels to the UK’s busiest trading estuary, the Humber.
Earlier this year ABP announced an investment of around £9 million to build nine new pilot launch vessels. ABP Humber will be receiving five vessels in total. Three vessels will be heading to ABP Southampton in 2022 and one to ABP South Wales in 2023.
The first vessel received a warm welcome at the Port of Grimsby last week. Named the OUSE, the vessel boasts improved fuel efficiency, helping to reduce emissions, a vital step towards tackling climate change.
Simon Bird, ABP Humber Regional Director said, “It is an exciting time for ABP to receive the first of its new pilot launches. The pilotage service ABP provides on the Humber is key to keeping Britain trading, and ongoing investment in new technology and equipment ensures the service can continue to be delivered to the highest standard, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
“All the new vessels arriving to the Humber will be named after some of the estuary’s main tributaries. The estuary itself is key to everything ABP achieves on the Humber, so it seemed appropriate to recognise the tributaries that keep the Humber flowing.”
On the Humber, vessels over 60 metres in length must be navigated through the Humber Estuary by an ABP Humber Pilot. For the pilots to reach the vessels coming into the estuary and back out again, they are transported to and from the ship by a pilot launch vessel.
ABP’s pilot launch vessels are operated by a launch crew, consisting of a coxswain who navigates the vessel, and deckhands, who maintain the vessel’s equipment on the deck and assist with many other pilotage operations such as mooring.
Earlier this year ABP Humber welcomed four new recruits to the pilot launch service. Alex Harvey, Jamie Rawson, Hollie Lewis and Linn Andersson joined ABP as pilot launch crew deckhands.
The new crew members brought with them a great deal of experience, including offshore lifeboat, armed forces, and international deckhand qualifications.
ABP Humber Deckhand, Hollie Lewis said, “The crew are looking forward to working on the new pilot launch vessels as they arrive in the Humber. Not only is the OUSE quieter and more comfortable, it greatly benefits from modernised safety features. We are excited to see how the OUSE stands up to the Humber’s seasonal challenges, but we are in no doubt she will deliver everything we need her to when called upon.”
Latest News
Dry bulk stable as Antwerp-Bruges grows in first half of 2024
(Posted on 22/07/24)The total throughput of Port of Antwerp-Bruges was 143.2 million tonnes in the first six months of this... Read more
PD Ports aiming to be the UK’s most sustainable port
(Posted on 22/07/24)PD Ports has a publicly stated aim to be the UK’s most sustainable port company, with a commitment... Read more
Cargo transhipment in North Sea Port remains stable
(Posted on 16/07/24)Over the first six months of this year, the companies in North Sea Port recorded a volume of 33.4 million... Read more
Rotterdam to support redevelopment of Curaçao industrial zone
(Posted on 12/07/24)Port of Rotterdam Authority will contribute to the redevelopment of the lands owned by the state-owned... Read more
ABP boosts marine capability through pilot launch upgrades
(Posted on 12/07/24)Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest and leading ports operator, has announced an... Read more
ABP Humber welcomes Laura Wood as new Head of Commercial
(Posted on 04/07/24)As Head of Commercial, Laura will head up the team responsible for Associated British Port’s wide... Read more
Cooperation on multiple port projects in Bangladesh
(Posted on 28/06/24)Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading facilitators of global trade, logistics, and industry, and... Read more
Sastry: Africa’s mining industry offers high margins and long-term contracts
(Posted on 20/06/24)Speaking at this year’s Drycon conference in Mumbai, Capt. Pappu Sastry, CEO of Adhira Shipping... Read more
Tunley Environmental announces ambitious transatlantic expansion plans
(Posted on 19/06/24)Sustainability consultancy Tunley Environmental is announcing ambitious transatlantic expansion plans... Read more
Duluth earns favourable marks in Green Marine environmental rating
(Posted on 14/06/24)The Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its terminal operations on Rice’s Point ranked among the... Read more
