Suffolk Chamber statement on Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared Gemini network

“This decision is certainly disappointing news, although it is unclear at this stage as to what it might mean for other parts of the very important ports and logistics sector in Suffolk.

“Whatever the full commercial rationale for Maersk’s relocation to Thames Gateway, it makes it even more important that the rail and road infrastructure in and out of the Port of Felixstowe is the very best it can be to retain and attract businesses, as competition from other ports looks set only to intensify. This means that the Suffolk system, which came together as one during The Suffolk Convention last month, needs to redouble and concentrate its lobbying efforts to Government both for the speedy approval of the Ely/Haughley rail junctions and the accelerated investment in the A14 corridor, including the Orwell Bridge and the Copdock Interchange, and the wider roads network across all points of the compass in and around Ipswich.

“Suffolk Chamber has lobbied for these systemic investments for many years and is currently conducting a survey of business investment and job creation plans and how these might be impacted by the current indifferent strategic road and rail networks.”