Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK's largest port operator, has acquired Global Shipping Services Ltd, a prominent provider of stevedoring, warehousing, storage and port agency services in the Humber, for an undisclosed sum.
Deal strengthens Humber port services
Global has established itself as the region's foremost independent port services provider, handling in excess of 1.5m tonnes of cargo annually. Founded in 1989 following the consolidation of several established port service companies operating across Humberside, the firm now operates across the Ports of Hull, Goole and Immingham.
Its expertise spans forest products, steel, bulk and breakbulk operations, heavy lift handling and specialist project cargo services. Global is set to bring a distinctive range of capabilities to ABP, while the backing and resources of ABP will provide Global with a platform to expand and innovate across the Humber and throughout ABP's wider network of 19 ports.
Leadership comments on acquisition
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."
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."
Future growth plans
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."
