Author: Gareth Colwell

Portico, the international cargo terminal based at Portsmouth International Port, have helped move 10,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) of empty containers back to where the need to be. There has been a glut of empty containers across the UK, and a shortage in the major manufacturing regions in Asia. This has been caused by the ongoing effect of the coronavirus pandemic, along with some British ports seeing container traffic well above normal levels at the start of this year. To help clear the...

By Gareth Colwell

Portico, the deep water cargo terminal and customs agency based at Portsmouth International Port, have agreed a significant lease extension with Portsmouth City Council. Building on the move to new landmark headquarters last summer, Portico have now extended their lease with Portsmouth City Council for a further 34 years. This lease gives Portico a distinct advantage to build on future plans for the next 20 years. It also provides opportunities to expand their portfolio by offering current and new businesses longer term...

By Gareth Colwell

Portico, the international cargo terminal based at Portsmouth International Port, are helping some of the world’s biggest shipping lines get their empty containers back to where they are needed most. Britain is currently awash with empty containers. This is causing congestion at UK ports and a shortage of containers in Asia for exports, with low container availability reported across Chinese and Indian ports. This issue has widespread implications for the worldwide economy, with multiple knock-on effects. The ongoing effect of the coronavirus pandemic, along...

By Gareth Colwell

Issues with moving and storing empty containers are causing headaches for shipping lines and hauliers across the country. Portico, based at Portsmouth International Port, stand ready to help. Some British ports have been seeing container traffic 30 per cent above normal levels. This is at a time when importers look to stock up ahead of Christmas. Combined with the ongoing effect of the coronavirus pandemic, it has led to a glut of empty containers across the UK. This is causing congestion at...

By Gareth Colwell

Steve Williams, 59, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Covid-19 honours, for outstanding services during the pandemic. From the outset, when the government announced a lockdown, Portico’s operations director Steve Williams, made the decision to stay in Portsmouth and oversee operations at the UK’s major fresh produce port, 200 miles away from his family in Grimsby, Lincolnshire. He remained solely in Portsmouth for three months, so he could manage operations safely for his employees and be available...

By Gareth Colwell

With 90 days to go before the UK and EU transition period ends on 1 January 2021, Portico customs agency has expanded their team of experienced agents to help the estimated 145,000 businesses who'll need to complete customs paperwork for the first time.  From agriculture products to parts for x-ray machines, anyone importing and exporting goods to and from the EU will need to complete full customs declarations, regardless of whether a UK-EU trade deal is agreed. Portico customs has recruited 17...

By Gareth Colwell

Portico and Portsmouth International Port are partnering with award-winning firm ECOsubsea, to provide a comprehensive in-house hull cleaning service. ECOsubsea offer the latest, revolutionary cleaning technology that goes above and beyond global environmental standards. Hull cleaning not only makes vessels more efficient, but can reduce their carbon footprint by minimising levels of air pollution up to 15%. This new service at Portsmouth will add value to both new and existing customers, allowing ships to be cleaned in the port, removing the...

By Gareth Colwell

Portico is taking action to minimise its impact on local air quality by powering its cargo handling operations with a low emission alternative fuel. The business is working with Certas Energy - the nation’s leading independent distributor of fuels and lubricants - to implement the use of a cleaner burning diesel alternative, Shell GTL Fuel, in its port side fleet, plant and machinery. Exclusively supplied in the UK by Certas Energy, Gas-To-Liquid (GTL) is a paraffinic fuel known for its improved combustion...

By Gareth Colwell

The annual Maritime Safety Week (6-10 July) provides an opportunity for the maritime industry to share their wealth of heath and safety knowledge, experience and best practice. It also aims to increase understanding of what the sector is already doing to respond to the safety challenges it faces, as well as plans for the future. As part of Portico's continued commitment to safety, we believe constant engagement with employees is crucial as they are always on the front line. Through this engagement...

By Gareth Colwell

Portico is helping Isle of Wight charity, the Roll Out the Barrel Trust, deliver a very special container to the Côte d'Ivoire. The customs agency at Portico have helped the charity get all the goods cleared ready for shipping for no charge. Adrian Brewer, founder of the trust, tells us more on how the container will change lives, and enable children to develop into adulthood providing for their families by securing meaningful jobs: "My charity, the Roll Out the Barrel Trust based...

By Gareth Colwell