Freeport East outlines 2025 plans for growth at Port of Felixstowe

Freeport East has outlined plans for 2025, focusing on growth and connectivity at Felixstowe. The first board meeting of the year, held in Ipswich, centred on capitalising on nearby investment opportunities around the UK's largest container port. The Port of Felixstowe, which received GBP130 million investment from the Harwich Haven Authority in 2024, is now capable of accommodating the world's biggest vessels.

More than 35 trains leave the port every weekday for various UK locations. Freeport East has attracted GBP250 million of inward investment in its first two years, highlighting its appeal to major manufacturers and trade-based businesses. ADVERTISEMENT

The combination of the port's global connections and strategic road and rail links is a major draw. In 2025, Freeport East plans to focus on these benefits with several new developments in the pipeline. Steve Beel, CEO at Freeport East, said: "Off the back of a strong 2024, Freeport East is looking forward to progressing new investments to deliver growth and new jobs in 2025.

"As the UK's primary maritime gateway with wide-ranging global connections, the Port of Felixstowe is a unique asset to enable us to attract both domestic and international investment." More than nine million square feet of new business and logistics space has been proposed or developed in the Freeport East area in recent years. Preparatory work will soon begin on the 32-hectare Freeport East Felixstowe tax site development, which will provide up to 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing and advanced logistics space.

In Felixstowe, Scottish Power will continue advancing its green hydrogen plans, aligning with the broader Freeport East green hydrogen hub.

The board also evaluated new skills programmes in the area, including support for Suffolk New College in implementing the Freeport East Skills Accelerator, which focuses on key freeport sectors such as logistics and clean energy.