The talk was given to the college’s engineering, maths and science students, and was the first talk ABP has delivered in a local school or college. It is also one of many events the college intends to hold to help its students gain an understanding of how the ports, logistics and renewables industries operate.

In 2014 Wilberforce College cemented its commitment to embracing the growing Humber renewables industry with the opening of a new engineering workshop, which allows all BTEC Engineering practical training to be completed on site.

The College also appointed several new training and management team members to drive the engineering department forward, including Dr Karen Ashman, Director of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

She said: “I am delighted that Simon Brett is developing relationships between the students at Wilberforce College and ABP in Hull. By making them aware of the extensive investment projects being undertaken at Green Port Hull and the career opportunities that will arise, it will inspire them to aim high in their studies and see the practical application of the courses they are taking.

“Hull’s youngsters will play a pivotal role in the growth of the region’s renewables sector. The multi million pound joint investment by ABP and Siemens in developing offshore wind turbines and renewable energy sources will require a highly skilled workforce. It is essential for our students to prepare now for careers in this industry to take full advantage of future opportunities.”

Simon Brett, Head of Projects at ABP, said: “It’s fantastic to get out and meet the young people who might eventually work on one of the Green Port Hull projects, and talk to them about renewable energy and the importance of the Humber estuary to the sector, as well as employment opportunities within ABP itself.

“This is an exciting time for Hull and the wider region and it’s great to share that positivity with the people that will ultimately benefit.”

Sam Carmichael, a Wilberforce College student who attended the talk said: “I found today really interesting, it gave us a great insight into the industry developments happening on our doorstep and it’s really encouraging to know that we’re being invested in.”

Wilberforce Sixth Form College is based on Saltshouse Road in Hull. It was established in 1988 and has grown to cater for over 1650 students working towards GCSEs, A levels, BTECs and City and Guilds qualifications.

Mr McLoughlin MP, was among those at Port of Sunderland on Thursday, February 5 to see a locomotive run on its newly connected rail lines, as part of a trial run organised with rail freight haulier DB Schenker Rail UK and Network Rail. The rail lines will soon be used for commercial operations.

The use of the lines for a light engine trial on Thursday, February 5 follows work by Network Rail to reinstate the former line into the port during December 2014 and January 2015. The work is a boost to the import and export credentials of the port, which is at the heart of the North East coastline but has not had working train lines for more than 20 years. The port will now be able to put to use its rail links and take on freight projects.

Port director Matthew Hunt said that the trial with DB Schenker Rail UK, using its Class 66 locomotive, was a significant moment for the port, after 20 years without links to the national rail network.

He said: “It’s fantastic to once again have rail connections at Port of Sunderland. We have always enjoyed great access to open sea, and the port is well placed in terms of its links to major roads and airports. However, for more than 20 years, Port of Sunderland has not seen any rail traffic coming into its heart. To have lines connected into the port is a huge step forward for us and it really was an important moment for us to see the lines in use once again. It was great to share that with the Transport Secretary too.

“The support we have had from DB Schenker in supplying a locomotive as a prelude to their use for commercial operations has been fantastic, and means we can officially say that we are ready to take on rail freight handling projects this year. We are very much looking forward to attracting more and more projects as a result of the links we now enjoy.”

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “As part of the government’s long term economic plan, we are investing record amounts in improving road and rail connections so that ports like Sunderland can realise their full potential and contribute to regional growth.

“The reconnection of the port’s rail link will boost its import and export capabilities significantly. I am proud to see this historic port being put firmly on the map again for freight and maritime projects and gearing up for more business.”

DB Schenker Rail UK provided a 22 metre long locomotive for use on the lines. It is expected that the port will use the lines over the coming months as a means of supporting the increasing number of cargo handling projects it is managing.

Neil McDonald, head of sales at DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “Britain’s ports are a vital link to overseas markets, but landing cargo in the port is not the end of the journey. Excellent transport links from ports to cities are essential in order for shippers to reach their final customer, and rail ensures low carbon, low congestion transport.

“Ports play a crucial part in DB Schenker Rail’s growth strategy and we are delighted to bring rail back to Port of Sunderland.”

The port saw almost half a mile of rail lines reconnected by Network Rail, a boost to its cargo handling capabilities. Port of Sunderland already handles more than 700,000 tonnes of cargo each year. Mark Tarry, area director for Network Rail, added: “It is fabulous to see rail traffic once more running at the port of Sunderland. Network Rail is committed to supporting the local economy and to promoting the use of rail freight. Reconnecting this line supports both of those aims. We look forward to continue to work with the port as they seek to attract new rail freight business to the area.”

As well as the rail connections, the port is also set to be boosted when work begins on the third Wear crossing in 2015. Described as a ‘strategic transport corridor’, the new bridge will better connect the port to trunk roads like the A19 and A1, ensuring that access is as straightforward as possible.

Councillor Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council and chair of the port board, said: “The successful use of the lines – with the support of DB Schenker and Network Rail – is a really positive step for Port of Sunderland, and a boost to its import and export capabilities.

“The port has enjoyed a significant programme of investment, and we have made some really important strategic decisions to ensure that we strengthen its position in the market. The addition of working rail lines can only further our work and put Sunderland firmly on the map for a range of maritime projects.”

A new deep sea service has been established between the Port of Gothenburg and Japan. The first vessel is underway from Kobe and will call at the Port of Gothenburg container terminal, APM Terminals, on February 23.

“We welcome the new service to the Port of Gothenburg. Japan is an important market for Swedish import and export companies,” states Magnus Kårestedt, Chief Executive of the Port of Gothenburg.

Japan is Sweden’s second largest trading partner in the Far East, after China, and a major importer of Swedish forest products. Exports will comprise mainly sawn wood products, paper, steel and industrial components. Imports will comprise consumer goods, such as clothes, electronics and asian food.

The transit time from Sweden to Kobe will be 41 days. The vessels in the service will call at the Port of Gothenburg container terminal, APM Terminals, every Tuesday.

World’s largest vessel sharing agreement
The new service has emerged from the 2M alliance. The alliance is made up of the world’s two largest shipping lines – Swiss shipping line Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Danish Maersk Line.

“We strongly believe in the Scandinavian market. Now, we can offer a direct deep sea service as well as a wide range of services to other destinations in the world from the Port of Gothenburg,” states Lars Rexius, Chief Executive of the Mediterranean Shipping Company Sweden. New destinations in the Far
East

The service include several ports that could previously not be reached by container vessels from Sweden, such as Kobe and Yokohama in Japan.

Maersk Line have up until now had two deep sea services from the Port of Gothenburg. Now that the shipping line is launching the new deep sea service to Japan the goods will be consolidated on that service.

At the same time the shipping line launches three additional feeder services between the Port of Gothenburg and other European ports.

“A deep sea service between Gothenburg and Japan has been requested by our customers for a long time and we are very pleased to finally have this in our offer. To meet the demand on the swedish market we will also add three additional feeder services from the Port of Gothenburg,” states Susanne Jacobsson, Chief Executive of Maersk Line Scandinavia.