A very warm welcome to the first Humber Freeport newsletter.

When the Freeport was launched, just over 18 months ago, we wanted to create a legacy of investment and growth for the region well into the future.

I’m pleased to say the Freeport is already delivering on its core objectives, attracting and supporting significant inward investment and shaping the skills and innovation agendas across both banks of our estuary.

Beyond that, the Freeport also has an important role to play as a truly pan-Humber organisation which brings together public and private sector stakeholders, acting as one voice to drive sustainable economic growth and accelerate our communities’ prosperity.

We want to enable businesses to create new, high-paid, high-skilled and sustainable jobs, contributing to UK Plc’s competitive advantage in global trade and investment.

As part of this, we’ve shared the region’s story with national and international audiences. Over recent months we’ve featured in national media including The Telegraph, Financial Times and Sky News, and have exhibited to global audiences at major conferences, including Innovation Zero at London’s Olympia.

Freeports remain relatively new concepts. So, with this being our first newsletter, we’ve taken the opportunity to introduce what freeports are, why they matter, and where we’re located in the Humber.

You can also catch up on Humber Freeport news and find out how you can get involved in future events.

Thanks for reading!

Prof. Neal Juster, Acting Chair

Freeports are designated areas with special status designed to boost investment.

There are 12 across the UK, with eight located in England, all selected by the government for their critical importance in rebalancing the country’s economy.

Freeports aim to create hubs for international trade and investment, driving growth, creating highly-skilled jobs, boosting productivity, and stimulating innovation.

Investors in these areas benefit from a range of incentives, including tax relief, National Insurance relief, and customs duty relief or deferment.

The Humber Freeport exists because the region is a prime growth opportunity.

Scoring highest when freeports were established, the Humber’s significance as a global trading hub, home to the UK’s busiest ports complex, and a leader in low carbon technology made it a natural fit.

With UK policy driving decarbonisation and investment in emerging technologies like carbon capture and hydrogen, the Humber is well-positioned to benefit.

Its strengths in advanced manufacturing, chemicals, and logistics further enhance its appeal, making freeport status a logical choice.

Humber Freeport spans four key locations: three tax sites and one customs site.

The tax sites are:

Hull East: includes Humber International Enterprise Park, Yorkshire Energy Park, Saltend Chemicals Park, and part of the Port of Hull.

Goole: located on both sides of the M62 motorway, next to the Siemens Mobility Rail Village, with excellent transport links.

Able Humber Port: located at Immingham, focused on offshore wind and the renewable energy sector.

The Grimsby customs site offers benefits like tariff deferrals, tax breaks on hiring, and potential duty exemptions for goods bound for non-UK markets.

Wykeland Group and Metsä Tissue submit plans for landmark tissue paper mill 

Wykeland Group and Finnish manufacturer Metsä Tissue have submitted plans to create the UK’s largest tissue paper mill in Goole, East Yorkshire.

Mitsubishi Chemical Group invests £250m at Saltend Chemicals Park

Mitsubishi Chemical Group UK Ltd, part of one of the world’s largest chemical producers, has committed to invest in a new production line at Saltend Chemicals Park.

Humber 2030 vision urges Government to accelerate ‘UK’s biggest decarbonisation opportunity’

Humber Freeport has thrown its full support behind a new report which sets out the urgent action needed to deliver the huge benefits of the region’s decarbonisation.

Great Northern Conference puts Humber at heart of UK’s industrial strategy

Opening the conference in Hull on December 3rd, Yorkshire Post Editor James Mitchinson pointed to emerging green technologies and innovation as being at the core of the Humber region’s rich potential.

April 29th 2025, Olympia, London

The Humber is driving the UK’s clean energy future, pioneering hydrogen production, storage, and distribution. This panel will explore its economic impact, investment needs, and the Humber Freeport’s vital role in decarbonisation. Don’t miss your chance to join the conversation. Register now for Innovation Zero 2025!

April 30 and May 1, 2025 at Doubletree by Hilton, Hull

As one of the UK's premier offshore wind events, Offshore Wind Connections (OWC) has grown in importance, attracting hundreds of regional, national, and international participants. It offers invaluable insights and networking opportunities for both established companies and those looking to break into or expand within the sector. Supported by a prestigious lineup of industry leaders.

May 20-22, Royal Armouries, Leeds 

“UKREiiF has become the must-attend event in the industry

The sheer number of regional combined authorities, local councils, and government departments that attend UKREiiF every year – as well as the largest investors, developers, and end-users from across the UK (and internationally) – supports this statement.

24-25 June 2025, ExCeL, London

Join leaders across business, energy, finance & government at Reset Connect London,  the UK’s largest sustainability & green investment event. As the flagship of London Climate Action Week, it bridges the gap between policymakers, innovators & businesses to drive real change.

We’ve been turning the spotlight on leading business figures from across the Humber, to hear their stories and discuss how freeport status benefits the region.

We recently caught up with Finbarr Dowling, Project Director for Siemens Mobility’s Rail Village in Goole

Siemens Mobility has established a state-of-the-art train manufacturing facility in Goole, dedicated to the production of new Piccadilly line tube and future mainline trains.

The neighbouring Humber Freeport tax site is ideally located to support the burgeoning supply chain for the Rail Village as it continues to grow. 

Finbarr explained why freeport status is good for Goole and the wider Humber, emphasised the importance of cross-sector collaboration in driving skills growth and innovation, and highlighted the Humber’s opportunity as a global leader in decarbonisation and green energy.

You can read the full interview with Finbarr here: www.humberfreeport.org/freeport-focus-finbarr-dowling-siemens-mobility/.

 

Do you want to play your part in attracting significant investment into the Humber?

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team and help drive economic growth and prosperity across the region.

We’re looking for:

The ideal candidate will be able to manage an executive level of business support, research information and relationship management for Humber Freeport’s management team.

Supporting our Chief Executive, and the wider Senior Leadership Team, the role holder will co-ordinate communication, information and presentations to enable the company to contribute effectively to its vision and development plan.

For details on the role, and to apply, go to www.humberfreeport.org/contact/careers

This strategic leadership role will require the individual to operate in a rapidly changing and complex environment.
The Chair must also have the commercial experience to help the Board capitalise on trade and investment opportunities across the Freeport.

They will work to promote the strategic value of the Humber region to the wider UK economy, and will play a prominent role within the business and political communities.
We're looking for our new Chair to take on the role from July 1, 2025.

 

For details on the role, please visit: www.humberfreeport.org/contact/careers

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, or want to know more about investment opportunities across our sites, please get in touch via contact@humberfreeport.org or visit our website at www.humberfreeport.org/contact.

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