Heavy investment at the ports of Sheerness and Chatham has been matched by substantial growth in volumes and the fostering of many close and productive business partnerships.

Equally, in its role as the river's harbour, pilotage and conservancy authority, Medway Ports works closely with other ports, terminals and river users to ensure safe and efficient operations on 27.3 navigable miles of the Medway, one of the UK's busiest arteries.

"Our whole philosophy is one of service; we are committed to delivering first-class services to the customer," said Director of Medway Des Crampton. "A port can only retain its customers by continuing to provide the very best."

"In 1993, Sheerness was the first port in the UK to achieve the ISO 9002 quality certificate and I think it set the port apart. We now have all of our port services, including pilotage and our marine activities, approved to ISO 9002. I think that shows that we are committed to service and quality."

Medway Ports is a subsidiary of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, and has gained substantial benefits from being a part of this major port group.

"As part of Mersey Docks, we look at what we can do together," said Mr Crampton. "There are obvious strengths such as joint marketing, and expertise we can draw on in fields like insurance and legal services.

"We can look for true synergies; if a Medway customer is looking to develop his business in the North West, we can help with opportunities, and vice versa."

Group Adds Value For Developments
However, a key advantage of being part of the Liverpool-based group is that Medway Ports has been able to finance a series of major developments in the past few years.

The track record speaks for itself, with the highest-profile investment being the £35 million construction of a deepwater berth and massive cool store for fresh produce, opened at Sheerness in 1999. Medway Ports focuses on finding out what the customer really wants — and then providing it.



"We are keen to enter into partnerships with our customers and on that basis are fully prepared to invest in long-term relationships," said Mr Crampton. "Perhaps the best example of this is the Fresh Fruit Terminal. We have put our money where our mouth is."

Building New Market Share in Key Traffics
Port operations at Sheerness are heavily focused on three high-value, niche markets — fresh produce, forest products and vehicles.

The 1990s saw significant investment in all three sectors, and there are plans for further developments during 2001. Volumes of fresh produce imported through Sheerness increased by 34.6% to 564,000 tonnes in 1999, the first full year of operations at the joint-venture Fresh Fruit Terminal. In 2000 the tonnage rose to 598,000

Built as part of a 20-year agreement with Capespan, the port's largest fresh produce customer, the new terminal is operated by Fresh Fruit Terminal (Sheerness) Ltd, a joint venture between MDHC and Capespan, with Medway Ports having the exclusive stevedoring role.

As well as handling all of Capespan's UK breakbulk volumes, the 20,000-pallet facility has succeeded in attracting substantial "third party" trade, and has already handled fresh produce from an astounding 22 different countries of origin.

Throughput at Medway Ports
('000 tonnes/units)