Höegh Autoliners, one of SCH’s major ro-ro customers in the Port of Southampton, has announced that its Europe to Middle East service has been extended by adding further port calls in Asia to the schedule.

The service now offers shippers two direct sailings per month from Höegh’s main ports in Europe, to Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. Destinations in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, China, Japan and South Korea are offered via transhipment in Singapore.

The first sailing on the new schedules commenced with Höegh Chiba, which was loaded by SCH in Southampton on January 22.

Roll-on/roll-off cargo specialists SCH have secured a contract to discharge Ford vehicles arriving at the port of Liverpool from the US and Europe.

SCH, which handles more than 200,000 ro-ro units a year, discharges twice weekly shipments of Ford cars and vans to adjacent port standing, for onward transport to Ford dealers.

The shipments from Ford’s factories in the US and Europe are carried on Atlantic Container Line con-ro ships, with predicted volumes of over 25,000 vehicles per annum.

SCH already carries out cruise ship work in Liverpool, turning round or handling the transit calls of more than 50 ships a year through the Merseyside port using local labour.

The same personnel now have the opportunity to join the ro-ro team, which is supplemented by additional local agency staff.

SCH Director Ian Morrison commented: “Throughout the group, we handle over 200,000 ro-ro units a year in addition to port terminal and railhead management activities. This extension of our business to include Ford models arriving in Liverpool further underlines our credentials as a leading UK handler of vehicle cargoes.”

SCH has played its part in helping the port of Southampton raise more than £6,000 for three local charities after donating its car park for weekend use by visitors to the Southampton Boat Show.

The car park at Pathfinder House, where SCH’s Motoprep business is based, was one of several Eastern Docks spaces where Boat Show visitors paid to park.

The initiative was organised by port of Southampton security guards Steve Russell and Colin Ferraday.

Of more than £6,000 raised, £2,161 went to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, with just over £2,000 each going to Wessex Cancer Trust and Solent Dolphin, the charity that organises boat trips for people with disabilities.

Through charitable support, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance brings an advanced Critical Care Team to people in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight when they need it most.

In a thank you letter to June Furzey, HR Manager at SCH’s Pathfinder personnel agency, Wessex Cancer’s Community Events and Fund Raiser Charlotte von Sicard said: “The Trust aims to help all children, teenagers and adults in the Wessex area who are living with cancer, when and where they need it. Thank you again, your generosity will help us to continue to support those affected by cancer.”