Peel Ports Group News

Renewable energy developer Vattenfall has selected the port at Great Yarmouth, run by infrastructure specialists Peel Ports, as the preferred location for the operations and maintenance base for the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone.When completed, Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone will be able to power around 4.6 million households.According to Peel Ports around 130 new jobs would be created with staff directly employed for the lifetime of the project which is around 35 years.

One of Europe’s largest ferry route and port operators, Stena Line, said it has signed a new deal with U.K. port operator Peel Ports to operate its 12 Quays port and ferry terminal in Birkenhead until the beginning of the 22nd Century. The Swedish company has operated twice daily ferry services to Belfast since 2011 and this new deal will see them continue to operate there for at least another 77 years, until 2100.The value of the deal has not been disclosed.Stena Line operates six routes and 12 vessels across the region and Birkenhead has been a key focus for investment in recent years.

Workers at a Liverpool port, owned by Peel Ports Group, will go on strike from Monday for two weeks after talks with the port operating company broke down due to disagreements over increase in pay, UK's Unite union said on Friday.Peel Ports' board has continued to deny workers a pay rise while its profits soared, Unite said, adding that "any chance to halt the industrial action has been lost after Peel Ports board intervened to stop the deal, which had been agreed in principle, from going ahead."Nearly 600 dock workers at the Liverpool port went on strike from Oct. 11 and to Oct.

Over 500 dockworkers at the Port of Liverpool, one of Britain's largest container ports, have launched a two-week strike over pay, the Unite trade union said on Tuesday, adding to a wave of industrial unrest caused by soaring inflation.The Liverpool strike from Sept. 19 to Oct. 3, which was announced earlier this month, will overlap a second walkout by workers at Felixstowe, Britain's top container port, which starts on Sept. 27.More than 560 port operatives and maintenance engineers…

UK port operator Peel Ports Group has been officially accredited with the internationally recognized quality mark of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) at all its principal ports by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customers, affirming the Port’s efficient and robust processes to customers worldwide.The Liverpool based port operator said that achieving AEO status from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs was a “significant milestone” especially on the path towards Brexit.Peel Ports Group has successfully achieved AEO status for the following ports: Clydeport Operations Limited, Port of Sheerness Limited, The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company Limited…

Peel Ports, Britain's second largest group of ports, has expanded its proposition at London Medway with a GBP5.5million investment to replace the Royal Bridge Pontoon.The upgrade work includes a new 12m wide, 45m across ramp, which will allow larger stern ramp RoRo vessels to berth at the port and increase the overall capacity for throughput.It comes as new opportunities in the unaccompanied freight and automotive sectors brings new customers to the port, with the facilities able to support a higher volume of larger vessels.The forestry industry, which along with automotive, forms the core business of London Medway, has also brought opportunities for growth…

Peel Ports Group has announced that it has acquired Quality Freight (UK) Limited, which provides chartering and a range of port services operating from a 40 acre multimodal facility at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.The value of the transaction has not been dicslosed.Commenting on the acquisition, Mark Whitworth, Chief Executive of Peel Ports Group said: “Our strategy is to be a leading UK provider of port centric logistics solutions. The acquisition of Quality Freight (UK) Limited is an important step in extending the range of value added services beyond the core stevedoring and storage services typically offered by Peel Ports.

The near-shore and inland workboat fleet is at the leading edge for autonomous vessel developmentWhile the advent of autonomous workboats are not exactly mainstream, you better believe that in the not-too-distant future they will be a reality on waterways in and around the U.S. Today there remain more questions than answers, particularly on the legal, logistics and insurance side of the coin. But the technology is evolving at record pace, providing many in the industry with mixed emotions. Excitement. Controversy. Curiosity. Skepticism. These are just a few of thoughts, and emotions that arise to any mention of the topic of autonomous vessels.It’s happening now.

Emerging spill response trends fit into two big categories: technology and a combination of economic and social forces. Both will shape what comes next.Florida’s stunning Tampa Bay stands out as exactly the kind of place where you have to think about hazardous materials emergencies. It was 25 years ago, on August 10, 1993, that a freighter collided with two barges near the entrance of Tampa Bay, causing a fire and spilling over 32,000 gallons of jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline and about 330,000 gallons of heavy fuel, devastating beaches, wildlife and habitat.

Peel Ports Group and ASV Global (ASV) have launched a partnership which will develop the use of autonomous vessel technology for U.K. port operations.The partnership kick-started with a visit from ASV’s team to the Port of Liverpool, to demonstrate the C-Cat-3, an autonomous vessel ideal for shallow survey operations.The C-Cat 3 operated in Brocklebank Dock carrying out seabed survey using a Norbit iWBMS multibeam echo sounder.The successful demonstration has led Peel Ports Group…

The finalists of the 2017 Mersey Maritime Industry Awards (MMIAs) have been announced. The winners will be revealed at a prestigious black tie dinner that will have a Ministerial presence and promises to bring together the best of the maritime industry right across the Maritime, Logistics and Energy spectrum in the region. The MMIAs are organised by sector representative body Mersey Maritime and the Awards recognise the excellence and diversity that exists across all sectors of the maritime industry in the North West. Chris Shirling-Rooke, Chief Executive, Mersey Maritime, said: “The number and quality of entries for the 2017 MMIAs has risen for the third consecutive year, which will make for an exciting awards evening when the winners are announced on 9th March.

The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with major UK ports operator, Peel Ports, who own the Port of Liverpool, as the latter gears up for the formal opening of its Liverpool2 container terminal in early November. The formal agreement creates a strategic alliance aimed at facilitating international trade and generating new business by promoting trade routes between Liverpool and the west coast of South America via the Panama Canal. The agreement was signed October 24 by Jorge L.

BG Freight Line, a fully owned subsidiary of Peel Ports Group, is to receive new tailor-made short sea container feeder vessels optimized for the company’s Irish Sea Hub services. The new class of ‘green’ vessels has been developed by BG Freight Line operation with ARKON Shipping as project initiator/commercial manager, technical managers Jüngerhans Maritime Services and designers CIMC ORIC. BG Freight Line will take delivery of four sister vessels under long-term charter after delivery from China’s Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard, with them expected to enter service during 2018.

UK container traffic will see more muted growth than expected a few months ago, at least in the short term, says Drewry. Patrick Walters, Peel Ports’ Group Commercial Director, believes that the bigger Brexit-related risk for UK container ports is a short-term negative impact on box volumes caused by economic and political uncertainty and GDP slowdown. According to the International Monetary Fund, the Brexit vote implies a substantial increase in economic, political, and institutional uncertainty, which is projected to have negative macroeconomic consequences. The IMF has just downgraded 2016 and 2017 GDP growth forecasts for the UK. And a slowdown in UK GDP will mean a slowdown in UK maritime trade.

LIVERPOOL City Region has launched a new  £2.5 million maritime training academy which it believes is the only one in the U.K. to create vitally needed skills and become a beacon of international excellence. Hugh Baird College, Bootle, and its supporting partners officially launch the Port Academy Liverpool (PAL) with some 200 guests from across the U.K. representing the maritime industry, Merchant Navy, Royal Navy – both past and present - and charitable trusts. Port Academy Liverpool will provide first class academic…

Peel Ports Group has completed the acquisition of Great Yarmouth Port Company Limited (GYPC) from International Port Holdings for an undisclosed sum. GYPC is well established as the leading UK port servicing the UK sector of the Southern North Sea offshore oil and gas industry and has other activities in regional grain, aggregate and other bulk and general cargoes. In its last annual accounts, it reported revenue of £10.9m and an operating profit of £4.5m. It currently employs approximately 65 employees all of whom are located at Great Yarmouth. Mark Whitworth, Chief Executive of Peel Ports said: “GYPC will complement Peel Ports core ports business by providing both geographical and commercial diversification. It is a very welcome addition to our business portfolio.

In response to popular demand, Mersey Maritime has expanded the eligibility of its annual awards to include maritime companies and related organisations right across the Maritime, Logistics and Energy spectrum in the whole of the North West and the Isle of Man. Chris Shirling-Rooke, CEO of Mersey Maritime, said: “Last year’s inaugural event was so popular that we have been inundated with businesses wanting to get involved. Taking the time to enter one or more of our 10 award categories certainly pays off, as two non-finalists last year won lucrative contracts on the strength of their entries. “The judging panel is made up of leading industry figures from our main sponsors and all entries are evaluated, with the various merits of each debated by these eminent people.

Peel Ports announced that it has secured 50 advocates for its Cargo200 initiative and is urging other shippers in the North-west to add their weight to the campaign. Launched in May, Peel Ports called for importers and exporters whose goods began or ended their journey in the north of the UK to switch current delivery of ocean freight from south-east ports to the centrally-located Port of Liverpool. The initiative aims to cut freight mileage by 200 million miles over the next five years. In addition to achieving significant carbon reduction, the company also estimates that the move could save shippers up to £400 per container in transportation costs by delivering to the heartland of the UK.

Peel Ports has today (Thursday 19 November) announced that it has secured 50 advocates for its Cargo200 initiative and is urging other shippers in the North-west to add their weight to the campaign. Launched in May, Peel Ports called for importers and exporters whose goods began or ended their journey in the north of the UK to switch current delivery of ocean freight from south-east ports to the centrally-located Port of Liverpool. The initiative aims to cut freight mileage by 200 million miles over the next five years. In addition to achieving significant carbon reduction, the company also estimates that the move could save shippers up to £400 per container in transportation costs by delivering to the heartland of the UK.

Terex Port Solutions (TPS) has received an order for 15 diesel-electric Terex N SC 634 E straddle carriers from the British terminal operator Peel Ports Group Ltd (Peel Ports). Five of these machines have already been in use at the Peel Ports terminal in Liverpool since June this year, ten more will be delivered to the Liverpool port with commissioning scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2015. The straddle carriers are designed for handling 1-over-2 high-cube containers and incorporate particularly eco-friendly diesel engines, which meet the requirements of the EU Stage IV (EPA Tier 4 final) emission class. The machines also feature the new Vetrocab, which offers drivers an excellent all round view for safe, efficient and ergonomic operation.

Leading UK port operator, Peel Ports Group, has been recognised as the UK’s top company in this year’s prestigious Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250 league table. Its ambitious development plans and strong financial results were key factors in the Liverpool-based business leaping 25 places ahead on its 2014 ranking. Compiled by research and networking events company Fast Track, the annual table ranks Britain's top performing private companies and entrepreneurs. The business reported an operating profit of £137.3m for the year ending March 2015 – results which come on the back of consistent growth over the last five years across a broad range of commodity groups.

Mersey Maritime, in association with some of its key members, is hosting what will be one of the most exciting events at London International Shipping Week (LISW15) on 9th September at The Walkie Talkie Building, 20 Fenchurch Street. Senior Liverpool Football Club (LFC) members will be present at this invitation only reception designed to showcase the amazing opportunities that exist for doing business with one of the Worlds’ most iconic port cities. LFC will also be bringing the European Cup which the club won outright after winning the competition for the fifth time in 2005. Mersey Maritime, together with key partners Peel Group and Liverpool John Moores University will make a major announcement during the course of the evening.

The UK’s second largest ports operator, Peel Ports, has today (Wednesday, 29 April) launched a major carbon emission initiative, Cargo200, and is calling on the UK freight and logistics industry to rethink supply chain and services routes in order to reduce freight mileage by 200 million miles over the next five years. Announcing plans at Multimodal 2015 in Birmingham, the company outlined opportunities for cargo owners, importers and exporters to cut the cost of inland transportation by switching current delivery of ocean freight from south-east ports to the centrally located Port of Liverpool, if their goods start or end their journey in the north of the UK. According to Peel Ports’ calculations, cargo owners can save up to £400 per container by altering supply chain routes.