UK: Prime Minister Tours Expansion Project at Liverpool2

UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, has visited the construction site of the major expansion project currently underway at the Port of Liverpool, which is being developed by Peel Ports, one of the UK’s largest port groups.

The £300 million Liverpool2 investment program will create the most central deep water container terminal in Great Britain and will offer companies ship-to-door access to the majority of UK consumers.

The tour coincided with Mr Cameron announcing a £150m partnership to create the first canal-linked logistics park in the UK, with a direct feed from Liverpool2, connecting directly to a number of portcentric logistics hubs along the Manchester Ship Canal via barge, further strengthening the region’s supply-chain capabilities.

Mr Cameron said: “Liverpool2 will allow the biggest container ships in the world to unload their cargo via Merseyside. So many of the big container ships come into southern ports such as Southampton and Tilbury. Yet so much of that freight is destined for the north of the country.

“This new terminal in Liverpool will ensure that freight can come directly to the North of England.”

Liverpool is located at the heart of the UK, with 35 million people living within 150 miles (240km) and a density of manufacturers, retail and e-commerce companies. The port has excellent multi-modal connections, with 10 motorways within 10 miles (about 16km) and 10 rail linked terminals. It also offers the ability to move goods onwards by water, either through the Manchester Ship Canal or via Peel Ports’ direct shipping links to Scotland and Ireland.

Mark Whitworth, chief executive of Peel Ports, said: “We were very pleased to have the chance to show the Prime Minister how the development at Liverpool2 is progressing and how it will contribute to the UK’s capacity for international trade. Keeping cargo moving from origin to destination is essential and we understand customer requirements to move their goods to market faster and more cost effectively.

“What makes Liverpool2 special is its location and facilities. We have anticipated the future demands and growth of the industry, to ensure that our investment in infrastructure and technology is both flexible and adaptable to the current and future delivery-critical needs of our customers.”

Peel Ports announced in April 2014 a £100m deal with leading Chinese manufacturer ZPMC to supply eight ship-to-shore (STS) megamax quay cranes and 22 cantilever rail-mounted gantry cranes (CRMGs).

The new container handling equipment will be capable of handling two 380m vessels simultaneously, and ultimately will have a capacity of over one million TEU. With semi-automated remote-controlled operation, the cranes will reduce the time taken to transfer containers from port to road or rail. They will also have the ability to operate at speeds in excess of 30mph and wind speeds of up to 55mph (88kmph).

The fleet of STS and CRMG cranes will be supported by a multi-million pound investment in state-of-the-art quayside facilities and support technology, including a fully-integrated Navis N4 terminal operating system, autogates and ABB equipment controls. Together, the investments will make Liverpool2 one of the most operationally efficient and modern terminals in Northern Europe.

The Port of Liverpool currently handles a diverse range of cargo, including bulk solids and liquids, RORO and containers. In 2012 it was named by leading industry journal Containerisation International as Port Authority of the Year in recognition of its progressive and innovative approach ‘beyond the port gates’.

[mappress]

Press Release, June 11, 2014