Port operator 'steeled to scale' in £100 million plan

A port operator has unveiled £100 million expansion plans.

Peel Ports Group is creating new steel and metal storage units across its Port of Liverpool and London Medway bases.

Bosses say the “game-changing” investment will “support customers long into the future” and comes after a record year for steel imports at Liverpool.

The outlay includes a £32 million venture to add 140,000sq ft of storage at Port of Liverpool’s steel and metals terminals, which Peel says will provide space for an additional 35,000 tonnes of products.

It adds the work will bolster warehousing across the North West hub – and its London counterpart, based at the mouth of the Thames Estuary – by 500,000sq ft. 

The blueprint features further plans to create a second Liverpool steel coil automated terminal and an automated terminal for London Medway, which will be connected to rail services by a new Midlands base.

David Huck, chief operating officer, said: “Demand for steel and metals handling has risen sharply over the past five years, and this will allow us to expand our support to the construction and manufacturing supply chain right across the country. 

“With expanded capacity and a growing, dedicated steel handling team, we can now move more product – and more efficiently – than ever before. 

“Warehousing will remain a key focus for the business, with further expansion already in the pipeline as we continue to futureproof our service for the UK’s critical industries.

“The new rail terminal will allow us to connect the ports of Liverpool and London Medway, boosting efficiency for customers and partners.”

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