It is widely recognised that new container terminal capacity is needed in the UK. There are, however, only a limited number of locations where development would be possible.   Bathside Bay has a number of crucial advantages as the site of essential new facilities:   • Harwich International Port already handles a significant amount of passenger and freight traffic. By combining this new development with the existing Port, it is possible to generate greater benefits for lower cost, both financial and environmental, than if it were an all-new, stand-alone facility. • Its East coast location is ideal for larger containerships, all of which also call at other major North Sea ports in continental Europe. A central North Sea location will allow the Port to compete for important transhipment traffic to the Baltic and Scandinavia, as well as to Ireland, Iberia and the Mediterranean. • The development’s close proximity to Felixstowe means that it will benefit from existing infastructure, and will be able to capitalise on management and development expertise of the Hutchison Port Holdings Group. • The Harwich Haven channel at 14.5 metres, is already the deepest approach of any UK container port. Linking Bathside Bay to the existing Harwich Haven deep water channel represents a much smaller dredging commitment than would be required elsewhere to provide similar access. • As a former British Rail port, Harwich International Port has excellent rail connections and improvements to the A120 will be delivered as part of the container terminal development. • Situated within the area covered by the Haven Gateway Partnership, a wealth of local expertise and support services already exists. Harwich Haven benefits from the unrivalled expertise and experience of the Harwich Haven Authority, an independent body responsible for the conservancy and sustainable management of Harwich Harbour and its seaward approaches. • Harwich is situated in an area in need of economic regeneration and inward investment.