Appledore welcomes back-to-back cargo ships for the first time in a decade

Torridge has marked a significant milestone with the arrival of two cargo ships into Appledore’s New Quay dock on consecutive tides - a first in at least ten years. 

The ships, Sea Melody and The Fri Ocean, were guided safely into the estuary by Torridge District Council's Pilot, Paul Brown.

On Friday, 28 March, the Sea Melody, a bulk cargo ship measuring 89 metres, docked after sailing from Ghent, Belgium, carrying over 3,200 metric tonnes of animal feed pellets. 

The cargo will be delivered to farms and manufacturing sites across Devon. 

Just days later, on Tuesday, 1 April, the Fri Ocean arrived from Rotterdam, bringing 1,800 tonnes of wheat gluten feed.

This double arrival highlights a renewed focus on restoring cargo passage into Torridge, a project led by Torridge District Council in partnership with Navantia UK and other agencies. The move not only helps to reduce the number of lorries on regional roads but also offers environmental benefits. 

Transporting goods directly to Appledore eliminates more than 110 lorry journeys per ship. The operation itself is efficient, with a discharge rate of 150 tonnes per hour, enabling cargo transfer to ground transportation within two days.

What does this mean for Torridge?

The return of back-to-back cargo ships is a significant development for the area, providing economic and environmental benefits. 

Richard Haste, Operational Services Manager at Torridge District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see the return of these cargo ships into New Quay, Appledore. These deliveries are making a very important contribution not only in terms of environmental sustainability but also in putting Appledore on the map as a working and useable port. With more ships due in at the end of the month, we look forward to working with our partners to continue to explore the options for welcoming more ships to the ports of Torridge.”

This partnership demonstrates how existing maritime infrastructure can support local businesses and reduce the carbon footprint of supply chains. 

The Head of Operations at Navantia UK Appledore, added: "This partnership demonstrates how maritime infrastructure can directly benefit local communities and businesses. By leveraging our existing facilities to support regional supply chains, we’re helping Devon businesses reduce their carbon footprint while improving access to essential supplies.”

The increased cargo traffic is expected to bring further opportunities for Appledore and the wider region, paving the way for a revitalised, sustainable port infrastructure.