No word from Sally on port
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by Karen Miles • The future of the port of Ramsgate looks unclear, with its owner refusing to quash speculation that the operation is up for sale.
Ramsgate's owner, ferry operator Sally UK, is owned by Neptun Maritime, which specialises in Baltic ferries and cruise liners. And Neptun Maritime says it has taken "no firm decision" over the future of the freight-dominated Kent port or its services; it also declines to comment on rumours that it is in talks to sell the business.
Three Sally ships sail between Ramsgate and Ostend; this year they are expected to handle around 125,000 accompanied and unaccompanied units. Traffic levels are rising but the company refuses to comment on the profitability of the port and its operations beyond saying there are "encouraging signs".
Neptun Maritime financial director Henrik Osterberg says; "Our company made it clear last year that it wanted to reduce its exposure on the Channel and we continue to explore all options to do so. In the meantime, the services at Port Ramsgate continue normally."
The port is hampered by a poor local road network and is waiting for a new approach road which will be part funded by Kent County Council.
Roger Wrapson, Kent area manager of the Road Haulage Association, is not surprised by the uncertainty: "The future of Ramsgate as a port has depended on the right operator and the right road system." He adds that Ramsgate is "well thought of by a good hard core of operators using it, particularly for unaccompanied traffic".