Changing the shape of UK logistics
Dutch company WEC Lines is to begin weekly calls at the Port of Liverpool in a move which aims to cut freight mileage by 200m miles in the next five years.
The service, which begins on 10 February, will connect Liverpool with Lisbon, Setubal, Leixoes and Sines, with other links to Ireland, Scotland, Morocco, Spain and the Canary Islands, providing a new option for shippers looking to access central and northern UK markets.
Along with the savings in journey distance and the significant reduction in emissions as a result, WEC Lines estimates that the move could save shippers up to £400 per container in transportation costs by delivering right to the heartland of the UK.
WEC Lines said: “We’re seeing growing demand to ship via Liverpool to provide better access to the heart of the UK. Our hope is that this will just be a first step towards increasing trade to important UK markets via the north-west.”
In November, Peel Ports announced that it had secured advocates for its Cargo200 initiative, including Diago, JCB and Jaguar Land Rover. The campaign calls for the current delivery of ocean freight to be switched from south-east ports to more centrally-located Liverpool.
Ross Thomson, sales director at Peel Ports, said: “The shape of UK logistics is changing with the north-west providing shippers the chance to reduce costs, congestion and carbon emissions by getting closer to the end market.”
Work is continuing on construction at the Liverpool2 container terminal, with the next milestone being the arrival of Cantilever Rail Mounted Gantry cranes in the spring.
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