Latest news with #AssociatedBritishPorts
The Independent
19 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Fire rages on cargo ship with smoke and ‘burning plastic' smell engulfing Hull
Firefighters are tackling a massive blaze onboard a cargo ship docked in Hull. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service was called to Albert Dock at around 10am on Friday. The service deployed four fire engines and an aerial platform. Hull Coastguard Rescue Team and an ambulance are also at the scene. The fire began in the vessel's cargo hold, where scrap metal was being transported. All people on board have been accounted for, a fire service spokesperson said. Residents and businesses have been advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the smoke in the area. One local said the 'smell of burning plastic is very strong'. The council has closed several roads as firefighters attempt to extinguish the blaze. This includes Commercial Road, Kingston Retail Park, Odeon Cinema, Ice Arena, English Street, Jackson Street, Humber Dock Street and Wellington Street. A BBC reporter identified the ship as the Altay, a bulk carrier built in 2006. According to Vessel Finder, the Atlay is currently sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands and has been moored at Albert Dock since 23 June. Commenting on social media, local residents said it 'absolutely stinks'. Another user commented: "I've been smelling every plug socket and computer at work, wondering if it's in my building. I hope everyone is okay on the docks." "I've just had to close all my windows. Wondered what the burning smell was,' another said. An Associated British Ports spokesperson said: 'We are currently aware of a fire on a vessel in Albert Dock in the location of a tenanted area, and we are assisting the fire service with the response.'
Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Times
£2bn green hydrogen project on Humberside pulled by US group
One of the biggest industrial foreign direct investments in the UK in a clean energy facility on Humberside has been pulled by Air Products, the American multinational. The £2 billion project to produce green hydrogen would have employed 1,400 people. It had already been granted planning consent and was regarded as a transformational investment to decarbonise the region. A lack of government commitment to the scheme has been blamed by Air Products for its decision to abandon the shovel-ready project. After Associated British Ports received planning permission in February to develop a green energy terminal at Immingham, Air Products planned to construct a facility that would bring ammonia to the deep water port and turn it into green hydrogen. The plant, it said, would be capable of generating 300MW of renewable energy, enough to decarbonise key industrial users and transport networks locally. When Air Products first announced its plans in 2022 it said it was in 'positive talks' with ministers and officials. It said 'this first-mover project will stimulate demand and support the development of a local and national green hydrogen market'. It added: 'It will be an important contributor to the government's plans to make the UK a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen.' Air Products has now decided to withdraw its planned final investment decision on the plant. • UK businesses plan £6.5bn project to raise hydrogen production A letter seen by The Times from Air Products' UK head to Martin Vickers, the Conservative MP for Brigg & Immingham, blames the lack of a 'suitable commitment' by ministers at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and Trade to support the scheme. Suzanne Lowe writes that 'the decision is not taken lightly' but follows years of policy wrangling with ministers. 'Current government policy supports a number of blue and green hydrogen production processes but specifically excludes hydrogen production from imported renewable ammonia,' she writes. 'This is in stark contrast with the EU which has embraced the import of renewable energy through a range of policy incentives. The decision not to open up key support measures … to our hydrogen production pathway leaves us with no viable path to build and operate a large-scale hydrogen production facility in the UK.' It is argued on the Continent that ammonia produced from renewable solar or wind arrays in southern Europe can play a key role in the creation of a hydrogen economy in northern Europe where sun and wind can be too intermittent to produce clean hydrogen at scale. Air Products says the UK policy is inconsistent as it supports the production of green hydrogen from other imported feedstocks such as liquefied natural gas, biomass or electricity via continental interconnectors, while ammonia remains excluded. Lowe said Air Products could revisit its decision but would need a shift from ministers. • Thunderer: Give us an energy transition plan or risk ruining our communities Industry sources said the decision could have serious political ramifications in a red wall region where Reform UK is gaining traction. One industry source close to the project said: 'The government talks a good game on attracting inward investment but too often it lets itself down on delivery. This project would have delivered a £2 billion investment but has received a 'computer says no' response.' A government spokesperson said: 'We will not be financially supporting any ammonia cracking projects at this time, as we are prioritising support for primary hydrogen production in the UK. 'We are already providing £2 billion to support 11 British green hydrogen projects, in addition to £500 million to create the UK's first regional hydrogen transport and storage network, creating thousands of clean energy jobs and ensuring communities across the country feel the benefits of Britain's renewal.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marina plans in doubt after backer pulls out
Plans to build a marina as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of Barry waterfront are in doubt after a major backer announced it would no longer be financing it. Associated British Ports (ABP) said it could no longer provide the "significant investment" required to build a marina on the waterfront in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan. The marina formed part of redevelopment plans which also include a new watersports centre, park, housing and offices. Vale of Glamorgan Council said it was "extremely disappointed" by the decision but that it remained confident the rest of the project could go ahead. Derelict Victorian hotel on most endangered list Town's waterfront plans approved The project to develop the waterfront, known as Barry Making Waves, formed the basis of an application for £20m of levelling-up funding under the previous Conservative UK government. Following a spending review, in October 2024 Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Barry would receive its funding. A spokesperson for ABP said following its own review, it had come to the "regretful conclusion" that it can no longer "proceed with the significant investment required in a marina". "We are looking at the right, viable ways we can contribute to the project and council's goals," they said, adding the company wanted to contribute to "more growth and prosperity for Barry". Council leader Lis Burnett described the decision as a "clear setback" but said she was confident the project would still go ahead. "We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK government agreement," the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports. Andrew RT Davies, Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales Central, described the decision as "extremely concerning". "The marina is a key part of plans to level up Barry and losing this investment is a huge blow," he said, adding that action was required to attract new partners. Mark Hooper, a Plaid Cymru councillor for the Barry waterfront area, said he was "surprised" by the announcement, and that the market testing "should have been completed long ago". "We in Barry need answers. Why was so much time and energy sunk into these plans if business partners hadn't already carried out their due diligence?"
BBC News
31-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Barry marina plans in doubt after backer pulls out
Plans to build a marina as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of Barry waterfront are in doubt after a major backer announced it would no longer be financing British Ports (ABP) said it could no longer provide the "significant investment" required to build a marina on the waterfront in Barry, Vale of marina formed part of redevelopment plans which also include a new watersports centre, park, housing and of Glamorgan Council said it was "extremely disappointed" by the decision but that it remained confident the rest of the project could go ahead. The project to develop the waterfront, known as Barry Making Waves, formed the basis of an application for £20m of levelling-up funding under the previous Conservative UK a spending review, in October 2024 Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed Barry would receive its funding.A spokesperson for ABP said following its own review, it had come to the "regretful conclusion" that it can no longer "proceed with the significant investment required in a marina"."We are looking at the right, viable ways we can contribute to the project and council's goals," they said, adding the company wanted to contribute to "more growth and prosperity for Barry".Council leader Lis Burnett described the decision as a "clear setback" but said she was confident the project would still go ahead."We believe the project can be delivered without the marina component, subject to UK government agreement," the Local Democracy Reporting Service RT Davies, Conservative Member of the Senedd (MS) for South Wales Central, described the decision as "extremely concerning"."The marina is a key part of plans to level up Barry and losing this investment is a huge blow," he said, adding that action was required to attract new Hooper, a Plaid Cymru councillor for the Barry waterfront area, said he was "surprised" by the announcement, and that the market testing "should have been completed long ago"."We in Barry need answers. Why was so much time and energy sunk into these plans if business partners hadn't already carried out their due diligence?"
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Boy died after pier jump to celebrate end of exams
A teenager who died after jumping into the sea from a pier had told friends he "couldn't swim", an inquest has heard. David Ejimofor, 15, died at Aberavon beach, Neath Port Talbot, on 19 June 2023 after joining friends at the beach to celebrate the end of their GCSE exams. The hearing, at Swansea's Guildhall, heard from a fisherman who said he heard the boy telling other teenagers he "couldn't swim". His mother, Maria Ejimofor, described her son as "beautiful young boy," who was "bright and sporty". The fisherman, Ethan Clarke, said he heard the teenagers telling the boy "it would be fine" despite telling them he could not swim. Mr Clarke said the teenager jumped in and he began to panic as soon as he entered the water. He then disappeared under the water at which point the teenagers called for help. Tyler Rowland, an off-duty police officer, was paddleboarding with his partner at the beach. He noticed a group of seven teenagers at the pier about 19:00 BST, with some in the sea. He saw three head back to shore and told the inquest he heard them saying "he's gone". Mr Rowland said one teenager told him his friend had "gone under the water and not come back up". Mr Rowland jumped off his paddleboard and swam over to the group as they frantically looked for David. The inquest heard he dived down several times before finding David's body. He was helped to carry the body to shore by a nurse called Amy Saunders who was at the beach. In a statement read out in court, she described the efforts to rescue David at the beach as "never experiencing trauma like it". Simon Davies, Det Sgt of South Wales Police, who led the investigation, told the court it was "chaotic scenes" when he arrived at the beach with emergency services trying to revive David. The coroner asked Mr Davies if there was any evidence that David "entered the water not of his own free will". He said "no, none whatsoever". He told the inquest David's mobile phone was taken away as evidence and that revealed the phone had been used to search for two things before David's death. They were "how long should I wait after eating before swimming" and "what shorts to wear for swimming". Previous searches were about sport training and nutrition. The coroner also read a statement from David's mother, Maria Ejimofor, who said he had won athletics competitions, was a keen weightlifter and made TikTok tutorials on social media. His mother's statement said he "achieved so much in his 15 years" and had aspirations to become a doctor. She said he could swim after having lessons as a child but he was not confident in the water. The statement added "he would not have put himself in a dangerous situation" because he was not a risk taker. He often went to the beach because his family lived close by but was always cautious of the sea. A statement was also read from Associated British Ports (ABP) who own the structure where David and his friends were. It said the structure was not designed for recreational use, as it was "built as a break water and is not a pier". "The purpose of it is to protect the entrance of Port Talbot docks from wind and waves," the statement added. It also said there are signs warning of the dangers and it is checked monthly. The inquest continues. Beach safety questions asked after pier death Parents reveal devastation at son's beach death Teen drowned after jumping off pier with friends
