Peel Ports

Background: 

Peel Ports Group is the UK’s second largest port group. Headquartered in Liverpool, the Group owns and operates some of the UK’s most important ports and terminals, but what sets us apart is the way we work with customers to extend and transform their supply chain, increasing efficiency and helping them maximise their potential. 

Peel Ports also understands that a strong port operation facilitates regional economic growth. That’s why we have developed partnerships with industry, stakeholders and policymakers across the UK, to create one voice and change the perception of the maritime and logistics sector, both nationally and regionally.

Peel Ports is always looking for ways to improve, not just the way we operate but to revolutionise the entire industry. Through our nationwide investment programme of over £750m, we’re creating platforms for new industries to grow and flourish, we also provide opportunities for established industries through innovative megaprojects that bring a multitude of benefits for customers including economies of scope and scale. 

Nationally, our activities are helping to rebalance the UK economy, they also remove road miles through more efficient cargo journeys and generate new jobs across supply chains. 

During 2017, this has been specifically demonstrated through the following initiatives:  

• Continued investment in Liverpool2 
  

Opened in November 2016, The Port of Liverpool’s £400m new deepwater terminal was born as a direct result of Peel Ports understanding its target market.  

Presently 93% of deep sea container volumes enter the UK via southern ports, yet only 40% of the cargo remains in the south. Liverpool2 provides a state-of-the-art ocean gateway for international trade, linking directly to the heart of the UK mainland and offering cargo owners in the north a more competitive and efficient route to market.  

Through getting goods closer to their end destination, Peel Ports is helping businesses to reduce costs, congestion and carbon emissions from their supply chains, as well as rebalancing an industry traditionally dominated by southern ports. 

During 2017 Peel Ports announced the second phase of its expansion programme at Liverpool2, with investment in additional cranes, infrastructure and leading-edge port technology solutions.  

The world class facilities at Liverpool2 will allow Peel Ports to capture and grow a greater share of the container market, once again establishing Liverpool as a great global gateway. This is a transformational project creating sustainable jobs and opening up a new world of trade opportunities across northern half of the UK.  

• New services lines secured 
  

During 2017 the Port of Liverpool has welcomed two new weekly container services, opening up new trade routes for customers; a BG Freight Line service to Cork, and a new WEC Lines service linking Liverpool with Huelva, Vigo, Leixoes and Dublin.  

Peel Ports Group is the UK’s second largest port group. Headquartered in Liverpool, the Group owns and operates some of the UK’s most important ports and terminals, but what sets us apart is the way we work with customers to extend and transform their supply chain, increasing efficiency and helping them maximise their potential. 

Peel Ports also understands that a strong port operation facilitates regional economic growth. That’s why we have developed partnerships with industry, stakeholders and policymakers across the UK, to create one voice and change the perception of the maritime and logistics sector, both nationally and regionally.  

Liverpool2 has also attracted a number of ad-hoc calls from ships operated by MSC, including the 4,045 TEU Pohorje and HM Paris which, at 6,552 TEU, is the largest container vessel ever to have called at Liverpool in the port’s history.  

These new services and calls are an illustration of the significant future potential for the Port of Liverpool and businesses in the surrounding regions.  

• New HGV refuelling site opened 
  

2017 also saw the opening of a new HGV refuelling site at the Port of Liverpool in association with Certas Energy. This state-of-the-art facility responds to the needs of hauliers using the port, providing a more convenient and efficient refuelling solution; avoiding the need for detours and eliminating the need for specific refuelling journeys.  

The opening of this facility was followed by becoming the first port in the UK to offer Shell GTL Fuel, a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel.  

• New rail container service announced 
  

In September, Peel Ports announced its intention to launch a new rail container service at the Port of Liverpool, offering shippers a seamless route to market from quayside to any UK destination served by major rail lines or vice versa.  

The new service is designed to complement Liverpool’s wider logistics offering, providing expansion options for importers and exporters that also minimise cost, congestion and carbon emissions.  

• Influencing policy makers  
  

Peel Ports continues to take a leading role in the logistics and maritime industry, through actively engaging with key stakeholders and policy makers.  

Examples of this during 2017 include: 

1. Partnering with Mersey Maritime, Liverpool John Moores University and Invest Liverpool to host a panel event at London International Shipping Week, attended by key industry leaders and politicians
2. Working with local councils and government nationally and regionally to help the UK economy.
3. Hosting an industry panel event in Liverpool, in association with Lloyd’s List, examining how the shipping industry can help solve the logistics crisis, attended by 100 guests from shipping lines, cargo owners and freight forwarders 
4. Hosting a reception at Westminster, sponsored by Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton and Shadow Minister for Business and International Trade. The event was attended by senior politicians including Lord Prescott; Transport Minister John Hayes MP,  Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry MP, and influencers including Jeffries Briginshaw, CEO of the British American Council 
5. Hosting a shipping conference in Glasgow, attended by 100 shipping industry experts to discuss the opportunities created by Liverpool2 for other ports around the Irish Sea 
6. Hosting visits to the Port of Liverpool from key influencers and policy makers including: John Alty, Director General of the Department for International Trade; Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region; David Jones, Minister for State at the Department for Exiting the European Union; a delegation from the National Infrastructure Commission, led by Chairman Lord Adonis and fellow commissioner Lord Heseltine; welcoming a group of international investment experts to Peel Ports Clydeport during a Department for International Trade visit to Scotland. 

By flying the flag for the maritime industry and establishing partnerships with these key influencers and policy makers, Peel Ports is leading the way in transforming the maritime and logistics industry, reestablishing Liverpool as a major global gateway and rebalancing the economy in the UK.  

• London Medway Masterplan 
  

Peel Ports is delivering on the promises made in its 20-year Masterplan, which outlines the Group’s long-term vision for expansion in the region. 

As part of this expansion strategy, Peel Ports London Medway will create sustainable jobs and plans to reclaim up to 183 acres of land for expansion, mixed-use developments, and a new marina over the next 20 years. 

The most recent project in the delivery of this masterplan is the regeneration of the former Thamesteel site which had lain derelict for more than four years after closing operations in 2013.  

Now known by its historic name, Wellmarsh, the site represents an investment in the region of £50million and around 200 jobs are expected to be created as a result.  

• Great Yarmouth Offshore Wind Investments 
  

At The Port of Great Yarmouth, Peel Ports Group have invested over £6m to establish a hub for the offshore wind and decommissioning sector. These investments also included improvements to infrastructure helping to grow other areas of the port. 

Since the acquisition in late 2015, the port has attracted new commodities and customers in the automotive, bulk products, offshore wind, decommissioning and project cargo sectors. Investments in infrastructure alongside a new strategic vision for the port has resulted in a wave of announcements and developments that will secure jobs for the future in a number of sectors. 

In FY17, Peel Ports reported revenues of £644m (2016: £596m) and EBITDA of £226m (2016: £212m). The Group’s EBITDA has increased annually since 2008, including during the last general economic downturn, demonstrating its resilience in challenging times. 

The Group currently employs over 2000 people across its sites and subsidiaries, with many more jobs dependant on the Port in the areas surrounding its operations.  

Winning would mean:

Winning this award would affirm Peel Ports as a key leader in the maritime industry and recognise the contribution the business has made to the maritime sector, not just in the Liverpool City Region but nationally.  

By raising its profile both on a regional and national scale, and investing in a range of transformational initiatives, Peel Ports has opened up a new world of sustainable growth opportunities across the UK and is helping to rebalance the UK economy.