PLA welcomes safer access at Navigator Thames terminal in Essex

Having launched a successful safe access initiative in February this year, Safe Boarding Week, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has welcomed the news that Navigator Thames has commenced work today (3 July), at the start of Maritime Safety Week 2023, to improve safe access at their West Thurrock bulk liquid terminal on the tidal Thames, the UK’s largest, by throughput volume.

Navigator Terminals had identified some areas for improvement as the access to vessels was at an acute angle at high tide. Under the stewardship of Navigator’s new and experienced terminal manager, Robert Marshall, the project has recommenced and fortuitously coincides with the start of the Department for Transport’s Maritime Safety Week (3-7 July).

Bob Baker, the PLA’s chief harbour master, commented:

“Safety is at the heart of what we do every day at the PLA.

“We are delighted that our safety initiative, Safe Boarding Week, had a positive influence on Navigator Thames’ decision to reboot the works that they had planned.

"We welcome the response of Navigator Thames to improving safe access for not just our pilots, but everyone else who needs to access the vessels, which will support the highest safety standards as the port continues to grow.”

Robert Marshall, Navigator Thames’ Terminal Manager, said:

“The investment in our jetties to improve safe access is part of our ongoing commitment to process safety throughout our organisation.

“We are going to work 24 hours per day for four days, during absolute low tide, to eliminate the need for a jetty outage, and ensure no business interruption to our customers.”