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SCH is seeing the wheels of trade turning again as cargo volumes through the Port of Southampton build, with more UK manufacturing industries returning to work in the wake of the COVID 19 crisis and the traditional summer break at manufacturing sites.

Vehicle manufacturers have restarted production lines resulting in an increase in export shipments arriving by road and rail in Southampton.

SCH, the port’s leading handler of deep-sea ro-ro cargoes, is witnessing a rise in ro-ro ship calls in the port as carriers respond to expanding commercial activity in several regions of the world.

SCH Director Lee Davis says there is still a long way to go but ro-ro cargo activity in the port is gradually increasing, both in automotive units and project cargoes.

He adds: “We have had recent vehicle shipments that have almost reached pre-lockdown levels. Things are still far from back to normal but we’re seeing some green shoots which hopefully will be maintained, with cargo volumes growing as factory production levels rise.”

While cruise ship operations remain in abeyance, the large numbers of ships positioned off the South Coast have also been making regular visits for essential supplies and maintenance, with SCH supporting several Royal Caribbean Cruise Line calls.