The Humber region, home to the major ports of Grimsby, Immingham and the emerging logistics hub at Stallingborough, presents a compelling location for investment in the UK’s food logistics and cold storage sector. With a unique combination of infrastructure, global and national connectivity, the cluster benefits from a substantial existing sector and is primed for scalable, high-return developments that support national food security and international trade.

A Cold Chain Powerhouse

Grimsby is a national leader in seafood logistics, processing 70% of the UK’s seafood, and already hosts several established major cold storage facilities, while the Humber accounts for 15% of the UK’s total cold storage capacity, with a large percentage of on-port or adjacent cold storage space.  This makes it one of the most concentrated and strategically important cold chain clusters in the country.  

Prime locations for expansion

With existing infrastructure and a skilled workforce, Grimsby offers immediate opportunities for upgrading or expanding cold storage capacity.  Its proximity to Lincolnshire’s agricultural heartland ensures a steady supply of fresh produce and raw materials.

As the UK’s largest port by tonnage, Immingham offers unmatched freight handling capabilities and multimodal connectivity.  It is ideally suited for large-scale logistics and cold chain investments with direct access to road, rail and short sea shipping routes to Europe.

Stallingborough is a development-ready site offering greenfield land with excellent transport links, making it ideal for bespoke cold storage and food logistics facilities.  It is particularly attractive for investors seeking to build from the ground up in a high-demand environment.

Why invest in the Humber?

  • Market access - the region’s ports provide fast, efficient access to both domestic markets and European trade routes, reducing lead times and logistics costs.
  • Workforce and expertise - the Humber boasts a highly skilled workforce with deep experience in food processing, logistics, and cold chain management.
  • Proximity to production - Lincolnshire’s vast agricultural output feeds directly into the Humber’s logistics network, creating a vertically integrated supply chain from farm to port.
  • Building on strong foundations - the area already has a well established local food sector and cold storage cluster. Local decision makers are familiar with the sector and the benefits it brings.

A future-proof investment

As demand for frozen and chilled food products continues to rise - driven by consumer trends, e-commerce and global trade - the need for modern, efficient cold storage facilities is accelerating. The Humber region offers a rare combination of existing infrastructure, development-ready land, energy connectivity and strategic location, making it a low-risk, high-reward environment for investors.

With growth potential, and a central role in national food security, the Humber is not just a gateway to the UK and Europe; it’s a gateway to the future of sustainable, secure food logistics.

For more information about the Humber Ports please visit the ABP website.