A new fast-transit reefer service for produce and food, covering the Pacific, Australasia, Latin America and the US, has been launched. The Meridian service operated with eight 2,500 TEU capacity vessels, four of which have been specifically built for this reefer orientated service, made its first call by Seatrade Blue recently. Trimming nine days off the usual time it takes for the same trip to New Zealand, the service will see large volumes of apples, kiwi fruit,

frozen goods, wine and even yachts delivered to Tilbury. Seatrade’s sister company Streamlines has been calling at London Container Terminal (LCT) since the inception of the Blue Stream service in 2016, another specialist reefer service connecting Central America to the UK & Europe.

The Meridian service itinerary is: Rotterdam, Dunkirk, Radicatel (Le Havre), Papeete, Noumea, Nelson, Napier, Tauranga, Callao, Paita, Philadelphia, Zeebrugge & Tilbury.

Ross McKissock, LCT asset manager, said: “The UK has a strong connection with New
Zealand and this rapid route for reefers will ensure that goods arrive quickly and efficiently for the UK market. The service enhances our coverage of the Pacific and US
East Coast cementing our position as a leading player in the highly specialised reefer market and offering importers a cost effective transatlantic and transpacific route to the UK.”

overall investment strategy.

“The success of the port in recent
years means that we now need
more land close to the port to grow
and our proposals for Tilbury 2, on
part of the site of the former Tilbury Power Station, will allow us to do
this.” A number of public consultation
events were held in March.

Members of the public can also complete a survey online: tilbury2.co.uk. It is anticipated that an application for a development consent order to permit the development will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (acting on behalf of the Department for Transport) in late 2017.