Порт Кингс-Линн в летний сезон обработал 48 судов, обеспечив поставки леса, солей и труб

Busy summer months sees King’s Lynn Port continue to play a vital role in the area’s economy as columnist Dr Paul Richards looks at recent activity The port in summer Over June and July 23 cargo ships arrived at ABP’s Port of Kings Lynn and 25 departed, with 7 and 17 in ballast respectively. On occasions vessels sail in ballast without the captain knowing his destination so reported as “Sea for Orders”. Timber from the forested nations of the Baltic and Scandinavia for the construction industry has been Lynn’s staple import since 1850. Three ships discharged full cargoes from Riga in Latvia (2) and Kristinenhamn in Sweden (1). Four part cargoes of timber were also unloaded from vessels having first visited Hull (3) and Seaham (1). Salt is used in pharmaceuticals and a variety of everyday products and imports are required to supplement home production. MV Eems Solar carried cargoes to our Wash port from Harlingen (2) in the Netherlands and Wismar (1) on the German Baltic. This general cargo vessel was built in 2010 and 100 metres in length with a gross tonnage of 2153. A new import is large pipes to support upgrades to national infrastructure and ABP has invested £150,000 in new lifting equipment to increase efficiency and safety when ship arrive at Lynn for unloading. MV Nina Bres and MV Von Adler transported single cargoes of large pipes from Almeria which is a port in south east Spain. A third consignment was landed by MV Amadeus from Ismit Bay which is a major Turkish port on the Sea of Mamara. MV Marjaata departed the Polish Baltic port of Gdansk with ammonia phosphate and arrived in Lynn on 3 July. It is used as a plant fertilizer, food additive and fire retardant. Gdansk is 688 sea miles from Lynn and Riga 1020 whilst Rotterdam is a mere 188. Linseed (flax) is cultivated for oil and used for lighting, cooking, paint and lubrication. MV Kaja carried a cargo from St Petersburg which Russian port is connected to the Baltic. In the 18th Century Lynn’s merchants sent their sailing ships to fetch timber from St Petersburg which is 1260 sea miles from our Wash haven. MV Lindeborg arrived at Lynn on 12 July with project cargo from Norrkoping which is an inland port in Sweden. Such cargo can be massive wind turbines blades or 400 tonne electrical transformers for regional power stations. More ships depart Lynn in ballast than with cargo but its exports remain significant. Recycled metal continues to be exported from Lynn as the mini mountain on Bentinck Dock is kept in check as the crane loads vessels. MV Baltic Arrow sailed across the North Sea with consignments for both Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The Dutch capital of Amsterdam was also the destination for MV Delphin with a third shipment. Shipments of beans from Lynn to Norway for animal feed is a regular run and three vessels took cargoes to Floro on that country’s west coast. MV Victress and MV Runner both departed Lynn with malt barley for Port Ellen on the west coast of Scotland for local distilleries. Such coastal traffic around Britain helps to reduce road haulage with important environmental benefits. Associated British Ports (ABP) own the two enclosed docks and riverside quay and have invested in port facilities since acquiring the estate in 1983. The Conservancy Board (KLCB) is self financing and a non-profit making authority established by Act of Parliament in 1897. It derives its income from pilotage and constantly keeps watch to ensure the Wash can be safely navigated with the help of buoys and beacons. ABP and KLCB work in partnership to sustain Lynn as a successful smaller port playing an important role in both local and regional economies.