The port already handles 450,000 cars per annum but a less restricted berth could increase maximum ship size from 800 car carrying capacity to around 3,000.

Speaking to Port Strategy, Jeffe Baker, business development manager, Grimsby & Immingham, said: "New vessels under construction are increasing in size and this development will help to maintain Grimsby's position in the future as the pre-eminent east coast car port."

Mr Baker also confirmed that Grimsby sister port Immingham is growing as a feeder port, undeterred by large scale developments in Southern UK hub boxports.

"We have the capacity to grow further and from the end user’s point of view, our hinterland means we are a better fit than taking the container to the south.”