Patron News: ABP and Clarksons Port Services sign Memorandum of Understanding to advance Lowestoft as key offshore energy hub with new Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Patron, Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest port operator, alongside Clarksons Port Services (CPS), a global leader in shipping agency services, are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This strategic agreement aims to explore an expanded partnership between the two companies at ABP’s new state-of-the-art Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF), which is currently under construction and near completion.

ABP and Clarksons Port Services have enjoyed a long-standing and fruitful relationship at ABP’s Port of Lowestoft and this MoU builds on that and sets the stage for an expanded relationship at LEEF.

The MoU outlines the framework for ABP and CPS to work together to leverage the potential of LEEF, a £35m investment by ABP and supported by the Town’s Fund. LEEF has been designed to accommodate the evolving demands of the offshore energy industry, including operations and maintenance (O&M) and construction support activities. It is also capable of supporting other seaborne trades, such as aggregate and project cargoes for the civil engineering and nuclear industries, notably Sizewell C.

Paul Ager, Divisional Port Manager, ABP said: “The LEEF project is a testament to ABP’s commitment to investing in the infrastructure required to support the offshore energy sector. With 345m of quayside equipped with three 7.5m draft deep-water berths with direct supply of fuel, water and power, six CTV berths and up to six acres of operational and storage land, the facilities it offers are unrivalled.”

The MoU also celebrates the longstanding partnership between ABP and CPS, which reached a milestone in 2023 with the celebration of 25 years of collaboration at ABP’s Port of Ipswich. Both companies are excited about the prospect of extending this successful partnership through LEEF, further strengthening their presence in the UK’s maritime and energy sectors.

David Rumsey, Clarksons Port Services Managing Director commented: “This is a significant step forward in aligning our support for the development of LEEF to strengthen Lowestoft’s infrastructure for renewable energy. It will enhance CPS’ capacity to serve its clients in the growing offshore wind sector, bringing economic benefits and opportunities to Lowestoft as the port evolves into a key hub for the energy sector in the Southern North Sea."

The LEEF project is set to position Lowestoft as a critical hub for the offshore energy industry, offering the infrastructure necessary to support the region’s growth and sustainability efforts. ABP’s investment in LEEF underscores the strategic importance of Lowestoft in the broader context of the UK’s energy landscape, and the signing of the MoU with Clarksons Port Services marks a significant step forward in realising this vision.