IPSWICH: The longest-ever vessel to enter the Port of Ipswich has sailed into town with a cargo of rice.

The Danzigergracht came from New Orleans with a consigment for S&B Herba Foods.

The 156.9 metre vessel’s cargo was unloaded at the Grain Terminal (Ipswich) Ltd for storage and onward distribution.

The ship weighs more than 18 tonnes and is owned by Spliethoff’s Bevrachtingskantoor BV.

Port owner Associated British Ports’ port manager Alastair MacFarlane said: “Ipswich is ideally placed close to the agricultural heartland of the UK and the port plays a vital role to the local economy.

“Accommodating vessels of this size ensures that Ipswich will maintain its position as the UK’s leading port for grain exports.

“The efficiency with which ABP staff handled this shipment demonstrates the high level of flexibility and service that all of ABP’s East Anglian ports are able to offer their customers.”

Robert Holben, joint managing director of S&B Herba Foods Limited, said it began importing rice through the Port of Ipswich in October 2007.

“Since then the port has successfully discharged a number of vessels, culminating in the MV Danzigergracht,” he said.

Spliethoff’s vessels are no strangers to Ipswich, bringing regular shipments of New Zealand onions to the port.

These are imported to the UK to cover for seasonal shortages in British supermarkets.