Port of Liverpool invests in handling equipment; wins award

The Port of Liverpool has been named Port Authority of the Year at the recent Containerisation International Awards in London, following a series of investments in new facilities. The judges commended the port, which has recently invested millions in its container handling equipment, for developing more efficient and cost effective supply chains.

The port, which handles over 33 million tonnes of cargo annually, purchased six straddle carriers, which brings its overall terminal fleet capacity to 40, investing in a Liebherr and five Terex diesel-electric straddle carriers.

The purchases have introduced a new supplier to the port in Liebherr, following a successful trial. The equipment has been fitted with the terminal’s Navis/ITS GPRS operating platform and is fully integrated with the existing fleet.

Peel Ports-Mersey’s engineering manager, Brad Crumbleholme, said: “The investment in the straddle carrier fleet comes against a backdrop of substantial asset replacements and upgrades at the port, and in addition to the £300m investment in our planned deep water container terminal, Liverpool2, which will be operational in 2015.”

Both straddle carrier models are able to stack three containers in height (1 over 2), with the Liebherr straddle carrier providing extendable twin-lift spreader capability.

Seeing off highly commended entries from other major global ports—Los Angeles, Antwerp and Charleston were among entries—Liverpool was singled out as number one by Containerisation International Awards judges who said it was the port’s dedication to its customer offering, including developing more efficient and cost effective supply chains, that stood it out on a global scale.

The Port of Liverpool’s managing director, Gary Hodgson, said: “We are delighted to receive this award, and see it as recognition of all the hard work put in by the port’s employees over the last few years.”

Work will get under way on Liverpool2, the port’s new deep-water container terminal, early in 2013.