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Immingham handles first ship under new forces deal

[ April 1, 2025   //   ]

Associated British Ports Immingham has handled the first vessel under a new military capability deal with the Ministry of Defence.

The 23,000-tonne Eddystone, a strategic equipment transport vessel, called on 29/30 March, transporting hundreds of vehicles and pieces of equipment belonging to 7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team (the Desert Rats) back to the UK from the largest NATO deployment of the year, Exercise Steadfast Dart. 

Immingham is close to Army bases in the north of England.

Before new Agreement, the Field Army had used only the Sea Mounting Centre at Marchwood near Southampton. While Marchwood will continue to be developed, the agreement gives the forces a wider choice of locations, while saving providing public money and boosting efficiency and resilience.

Like many of ABP’s ports, Immingham was constructed to accommodate naval vessels. In 1912 the lock was built for World War I Dreadnought battleships. Immingham’s Dock Office still bears its naval base name HMS Beaver II, which was the headquarters for 7th Destroyer Flotilla in World War I and a base for the British D class submarine.

ABP regional director of the Humber ports, Andrew Dawes, said: “The Humber ports are in a key strategic position on the UK east coast. Not only does this port call provide a local and cost-effective operation for the Desert Rats, it also gives all parties valuable experience of operating in different ABP locations and the options our port locations offer to scale up.”

Chief of defence logistics and support, Vice Admiral Andy Kyte added: “This agreement marks a significant step in boosting the resilience, efficiency, and agility of Defence’s Sea Mounting Capability by leveraging ABP’s national port estate. The partnership with ABP plays a pivotal role in fortifying the UK Strategic Base, a cornerstone essential for Defence to effectively deploy, sustain, and recover force elements.”

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