PSA Great Yarmouth, the UK's latest regional container terminal at the Outer Harbour, has signed an agreement with Cooper SH for the supply and maintenance of a fleet of port handling equipment.

PSA Great Yarmouth, the UK's latest regional container terminal at the Outer Harbour, has signed an agreement with Cooper SH for the supply and maintenance of a fleet of port handling equipment.

PSA Great Yarmouth, which is soon to become operational, has invested in a five-year contract with Cooper SH for a complete port product range including three Konecranes reach stackers, one empty container handler and five MAFI terminal tractors.

David Cooper, managing director of Cooper SH, said: “PSA are arguably one of the largest and most experienced purchasers of container terminal equipment.

“We are delighted PSA has opted for Cooper SH as its handling partner for its first UK venture,” added David.

With a 200m berth length and a throughput capacity of 50,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU's) in its start up phase, PSA needed a port equipment and service provider which could meet capacity demands and offer a first-rate service across its operations.

PSA Great Yarmouth's general manager, Peter Hambly said: “We aim to deliver a level of service that is second to none.

“Cooper SH's port equipment is among the most reputable and reliable in the industry. As a single source supplier, we are pleased to have a true consultative partner in all manner of container movement and storage.”

Cooper's onsite engineer will be maintaining all of the port equipment as well as two post-panamax ship-to-shore cranes that PSA acquired under a separate supply contract.

The �23m investment is just one phase of a larger development initiative that will ultimately consist of a 400m berth with a throughput capacity of 250,000 TEU's per year.

PSA Great Yarmouth is a joint venture between global port operator PSA International and investment company International Port Holdings. It aims to offer feeder and short-sea connections to North European hubs for regional businesses looking to establish a competitive advantage.