The Port of Ipswich has celebrated the official opening of a new £2.2million warehouse for agri-bulk products, a major, and fast-growing, element within the port’s cargo mix.

The Orwell Bulk Terminal, which has replaced the former Number 3 shed at Cliff Quay, covers 3,700 square metres and has a volume equivalent to around 320 double decker buses.

Guests, including representatives from port customers and construction group RG Carter, contractor for the project, were welcomed by port manager Alastair MacFarlane.

Also present were James Cooper, chief executive of Associated British Ports (ABP), Andrew Harston, ABP’s director for short sea ports, including Ipswich, and Ipswich MP Ben Gummer, who performed the opening ceremony.

Together with a plaque recording the occasion, Mr Gummer also unveiled a tablet dating from 1957, which was originally unveiled by the late Airey Neave to mark the opening of the Cliff Quay port facility and has now been relocated to a more prominent location on the new building.

Mr Gummer said: “The Port of Ipswich plays a vital role in the supply chain for businesses across East Anglia. This fantastic new facility will help support these businesses, will drive trade and will create jobs in Ipswich, our county and our region.”

Andrew Harston added: “Last year the port handled over 1.5million tonnes of bulk cargo for East Anglian customers. It is an important and growing business for the port. The opening of the Orwell Bulk Terminal will help to provide our customers with modern facilities.

“This is typical of the sort of partnership ABP is proud to provide, investing in world-class facilities to support growth in our customers’ businesses. We are delighted that The Grain Terminal (Ipswich) Limited and Clarkson Port Services will be extending their presence at Ipswich by using the terminal to provide storage and handling services to the agribulk market in the area.”