The long-established Southampton family business of Williams Shipping has taken delivery of another flat-top barge to further bolster its reputation as one of the largest operators of this kind of vessel in the country.

Its latest acquisition, Wilcarry 1500, measures 30m long by 11m wide and is capable of carrying up to 1,280 tonnes.

Since its arrival it has been operating in Portland for the Plymouth-based company Seastructures who are currently involved in the construction of a new re-fuelling jetty for the Ministry of Defence.

The Wilcarry 1500 represents the latest stage of Williams Shipping's policy of continuing expansion, which currently sees the company operating three sites within Southampton.

Among these is a newly expanded marine operations base boasting deep-water berthing and wharfage facilities.

Williams Shipping also has substantial areas of warehousing and open storage land throughout Southampton.