Green cargo initiative milestone

Peel Ports wants importers and exporters whose goods begin or end their journey in the north of the UK to switch current delivery of ocean freight from south-east ports to the Port of Liverpool.

The Cargo200 initiative aims to cut freight mileage by 200 million miles over the next five years. In addition to achieving significant carbon reduction, the company says the move could save up to £400 per container in transportation costs.

Among the latest names to provide their support are leading TV and internet retailer QVC, and Ultimate Products, which sources and distributes branded consumer goods from 27 countries to more than 450 high-street retailers in the UK.

Lorna Billinge of QVC, which has its Knowsley distribution centre nine miles from the Port of Liverpool, said: “Our business lives on rapid response to customer demand and shipping through Liverpool provides us with greater predictability and resilience in our supply chain, by avoiding the uncertainty and delays associated with longer road or rail journeys.”

“Reducing land freight mileage also allows us to minimise our carbon footprint. With our operations centre strategically positioned in the North West, increasing our trade via Liverpool is a key part of our strategy to meet increases and changes in customer demand.”

Andrew Gossage, managing director of Ultimate Products added: “Many of our big-name customers, including supermarkets and department stores place a priority on having an environmentally responsible supply chain. Being able to reduce our emissions from transport by shipping through Liverpool is an important benefit to them.”