Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Patron of international development organisation Transaid, visited corporate supporter DP World’s Southampton logistics hub on Friday (July 14), to meet with staff at what has become the UK’s most productive container terminal.
During the visit, HRH saw DP World demonstrate a new pinning station which has been introduced to remove the need for staff to work near straddle carriers, as they remove twistlocks from containers prior to lifting. This is a major safety enhancement and the first of its kind in the group globally, forming part of a package of recent investment alongside bigger cranes, deeper berths and an expanded fleet of terminal vehicles – to ensure Southampton can handle the growing demand for international trade.
The Princess Royal also heard how in March the site had broken its record after exchanging 9,315 containers with a single ship in just 86 hours – beating the previous terminal move count record of 8,213, two years ago.
Steve McCrindle, Port Operations Director at Southampton, said: “It was fantastic to welcome The Princess Royal to our 100-hectare site in Southampton, where we’ve perfected the art of turning vessels around in double quick time.
“Shipping lines and cargo owners are looking for capacity, reliability and growth opportunities; and we specialise in providing it, with maximum focus on safety. The Princess Royal saw what we’ve achieved and met many of the team who make it possible.”
Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid, explains: “For 25 years we’ve been able to introduce our Patron to many of our members and supporters, and given her close involvement with the logistics sector, I am sure the visit will be a very memorable one.”
DP World began supporting Transaid earlier this year and is set to be the platinum sponsor for Transaid’s silver jubilee year.
For more information and to find out how you can support the organisation visit www.transaid.org.
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Note to Editor:
About Transaid
Transaid transforms lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport. Founded by Save the Children, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and its Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, the international development organisation works with communities, partners, and governments to solve transport challenges throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
Transaid works in two core areas, road safety and access to health, to solve two of the biggest transport challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Transaid’s road safety work focuses on influencing safe driver behaviour with long term programmes in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, responding to local needs for improved training for drivers and riders of trucks, buses, motorcycles and forklift trucks. On the access to health side, Transaid is working with local partners and communities to strengthen access to health services, primarily in rural areas. They are also working to strengthen health supply chains in collaboration with local partners and governments.
Transaid enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
For further press information:
Florence Bearman at Transaid +44 (0)20 7387 8136
James Keeler at Garnett Keeler +44 (0)20 8647 4467, or by email to james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com
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