Global Shipping Services Ltd has bases at the Ports of Hull, Goole and Immingham
The Global Shipping Services team carry out a heavy lift operation(Image: Global Shipping Services)
A Humber shipping specialist has been snapped up by the UK’s largest port operator for an undisclosed sum. Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator has acquired Global Shipping Services Ltd, a leading provider of stevedoring, warehousing, storage and port agency services.
Global has established itself as the region’s leading independent port service providers, supporting trade through some of the UK’s busiest ports. It was formed in 1989 following the merger of several experienced port service companies operating across Humberside, and now handles more than 1.5 million tonnes of cargo a year.
The company now operates across the Ports of Hull, Goole and Immingham, and it has particular expertise in cargoes such as forest products, steel, bulk and breakbulk operations, heavy lift handling and specialist project cargo services. Global will bring a unique set of capabilities to ABP.
And having the support and resources of ABP will provide Global with a solid platform to grow further and innovate, not just in the Humber but also across ABP’s network of 19 ports.
Henrik L. Pedersen, CEO at ABP said: “The acquisition of Global Shipping Services is another important step forward for ABP as we pursue our mission of Keeping Britain Trading by continually upgrading our service offerings underpinning our customers’ growth ambitions. Global is a great company with great people who we’re looking forward welcoming into the ABP team.”
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Andrew Dawes, regional director for the Humber at ABP said: “We’re committed to building on Global’s strong record of success to date and growing their business within the ABP family in the Humber, the UK’s largest trading gateway by volume, and beyond.
“Growing our services offering is an important complement to our major investments in infrastructure like the new £200m-plus Immingham Eastern RoRo Terminal. Having the scale and ambition to deliver both is key to ensuring that the Humber is the port of choice for customers and we’ll keep looking for growth opportunities.”
Peter Waud, managing director of Global Shipping Services, who will remain with the business in his current role, added: “This is an important moment for Global Shipping Services. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved, building a business with a strong reputation for customer service, operational excellence and trusted partnerships across the Humber.
“Joining ABP gives us access to the resources, expertise and reach of the UK’s leading port operator, creating a powerful platform for future growth. The opportunities that ABP’s extensive port network brings are significant, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together as we begin the next chapter in the Global story.”
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