Army tests new military port agreement at Immingham

A shipment of British Army vehicles and equipment has returned to the UK via Immingham Port following NATO’s Exercise Steadfast Dart, marking the first operational use of a new strategic agreement between the Ministry of Defence and Associated British Ports (ABP), according to a government update.

The exercise, which involved deployments to Romania, concluded with the arrival of the 23,000-tonne Ro-Ro vessel Eddystone in the Humber, carrying military hardware from the Greek port of Alexandroupolis.

The move represents a shift in how the UK handles overseas military logistics, expanding deployment capabilities beyond the traditional sole reliance on Marchwood Military Port near Southampton.

Vice Admiral Andy Kyte CB, Chief of Defence Logistics and Support, said the exercise was a milestone: “This agreement marks a significant step in boosting the resilience, efficiency, and agility of Defence’s Sea Mounting Capability by leveraging ABP’s national port estate.”

Previously, all major deployments relied on Marchwood. By adding ABP’s network of ports, including Immingham, the MoD aims to increase flexibility and reduce strategic risk. The use of alternative ports could also reduce road transport distances from port to garrison, helping cut fuel use and emissions.

Major General Jo Chestnutt, Field Army Deputy Chief of Staff, welcomed the swift operationalisation of the agreement: “I am thrilled to see our new strategic relationship with ABP transition from concept to operational capability so quickly at Immingham Port.”

ABP’s Richard Parkinson added that the operation was the first practical demonstration of the new partnership: “Our strategic partnership with the Ministry of Defence gives it additional sea mounting resilience and enables seamless deployment and recovery of military vehicles and equipment across the nation, ensuring readiness for overseas missions.”

The vehicles disembarked in Immingham will now travel onwards to their final destinations in Catterick and Oakham—routes that are significantly shorter than if the equipment had returned through Marchwood, offering both cost and environmental benefits.

Andrew Dawes, Regional Director of the Humber ports, described the event as “a great honour”, adding: “It also gives all parties valuable experience of operating in different ABP locations and the options our port locations offer to scale up.”

According to the MoD, the agreement with ABP enhances the UK’s ability to deploy forces quickly and effectively in response to international crises—aligning with NATO’s emphasis on strategic mobility and readiness.