Felixstowe originally had a small wet dock, which handled a variety of goods from liquids to timber. The last thirty years has seen a dramatic expansion and subsequent increase in trade such that it is now one of the largest ports in the country. The port is still expanding and the new Trinity Terminal extension will give the port a further 270 metres of deep-water berth. The docks currently have nine container vessel berths, a dedicated Ro Ro terminal, a bulk liquids terminal and a ferry terminal. Felixstowe services over 365 ports around the globe. The Port can handle the latest class of Maersk ships (Cornelia Maersk ) of 92,000 g.r.t. and will be handling the new Maersk class which are over 93,000 g.r.t. (Anna Maersk).
Derek works at one of the two rail terminals within the docks and many a photo was an early morning or an evening shot just prior or just after finishing a shift. The series of slides was a visual representation of the shipping lines that are, or have used the port over the years. Vessels of the United States Lines and the US Military Sea Lift Command, ships from Maersk Line, Fred Olsen, Evergreen, Delmas, Hanjin, Neptune Orient, MSL China Ship[ping Line, COSCO, P&O NedLloyd, Finnlines Norfolk Line and the occasional Lloyd Trestino. Containers were initially carried as deck cargo, then by converted tankers and bulk carriers, and it was interesting to note that dedicated box boats have only been with us for 25 years or so.
Derek reports that the port eventually intends to fill in the small wet dock that remains as a reminder of its small beginnings.
Thank you Derek for travelling to our meeting on such a warm night, it was a very memorable evening and we hope that you will be coming to show us some more slides again soon.