Associated British Ports will be celebrating the official opening of a new £2.2million dry bulk warehouse at the Port of Ipswich on Friday.

The new warehouse, to be known as the Orwell Bulk Terminal, covers 3,700 square meters and will help grow the ports’ already thriving bulk businesses, which handled more than 2million tonnes of dry bulks in 2014.

It is equipped with solar panels on the roof which will provide low carbon power for the port and also uses motion sensor activated LED lighting to further reduce its carbon footprint.

Speaking at a topping out ceremony earlier this year, staged jointly with construction partner R G Carter, Andrew Harston, ABP’s director fr short sea ports, said; “This new warehouse facility which would fill one half of the Ipswich Town ground if erected at Portman Road is fantastic news for both the port and the region, bringing with it investment, jobs and trade.

“It is a great display of what ABP can do; working with our customers to develop facilities that help their business to grow and drive increases in operational efficiency.”

ABP’s Port of Ipswich and its customers support more than 1,800 local jobs and contribute £122m to the regional economy.