by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Two terminals at Chatham Docks are to close with the loss of 42 jobs.

Falling trade has been blamed for the closures by Convoys, a long-established firm.

The decision to shut the terminals by the end of June is a serious blow to Chatham's maritime industry.

The company says the business, which handles around 180,000 tonnes of forest products a year, "will be closed in an orderly manner".

In a statement, it added: "The company has taken the decision following a sharp downturn in trade over the last few years due to difficult economic conditions."

Bosses informed the workforce of 42 employees - 27 in operations and 15 in management and office operations - earlier today the business was being wound up.

Convoys leases two terminals in number 3 basin and handles imported timber, newsprint, waste paper products and general cargo. It is the largest tenant at Chatham Docks.

Convoys, based at Forest House, Chatham Docks, was founded in 1920 and specialises in warehousing and importation of forest products. It also has a facility in Manchester.

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