Bids invited for UK ports upgrades

The port operator is seeking to appoint contractors to the two frameworks for a period of up to eight years, with one framework covering general construction and the other covering marine construction.

“The long-term nature of these framework agreements allows us to build meaningful, commercially sustainable partnerships with our construction contractors,” explained Lewis McIntyre, managing director – Port Services at Peel Ports Group.

“It further allows us to appoint a collection of regional suppliers to give us breadth and depth of scope, skill, and responsiveness.”

The frameworks cover construction projects across the group’s entire portfolio of UK and Ireland ports, including the Port of Liverpool, Heysham Port, Manchester Ship Canal, London Medway, its Clydeport sites, Great Yarmouth, and Dublin Port.

The scope of the frameworks covers both existing infrastructure improvements and the development of new infrastructure.

The first will focus on general construction works such as drainage, the construction and maintenance of new and existing roads and carparks, earthworks and ground remediation, foundations and piling, the construction and refurbishment of new and existing warehouses, surfacing and concrete works, rail construction, bridge construction and refurbishment, and demolition.

The second covers specialist marine construction works such as piling, asset renewal and refurbishment, berthing furniture and bollards, quay walls, lock and sluice gate maintenance and replacement, and RoRo.

The procurement process is expected to take place throughout 2024, with contracts expected to be awarded towards the end of the year.