Largest wood pellet shipment ever at Hull port, Drax delivery

Associated British Ports (ABP) has completed the largest shipment of wood pellets ever handled at the ABP dry bulks terminal.

According to ABP, the operations team discharged an estimated 30,000 tonnes from a vessel, with the intent of delivering it to the Drax power station in Selby.

It is claimed the shipment can generate enough electricity to power an approximated 18,000 homes for a year.

“It’s important to work in partnership with our customers to enable to them to grow and achieve fundamental business objectives,” said Simon Bird, ABP Humber director.

“Our highly-skilled teams and continuing investment in infrastructure are vital factors in ensuring we can always offer the best possible services to our customers.”

The shipment itself was completed in 77 hours and the weather-sensitive cargo was directly loaded onto lorries, with the rest going into storage.

“Developing a supply chain able to deliver the sustainable biomass in the quantities required was central to us being able to convert two thirds of the power station to use biomass instead of coal, transforming the business to become the largest decarbonisation project in Europe,” said Mark Gibbens, Drax’s head of logistics.

“We have supported investment of £300m (€350m) in our port facilities and our operations support 5,700 jobs in the supply chain in the north and contribute £600m (€700m) to the region’s economy. The Port of Hull is an important part of the Drax supply chain, and continues to handle biomass for us in a safe and reliable manner.”