The UK’s first ever fully automated steel terminal has opened at the Port of Liverpool.
The Peel Ports-run facility, located at the Canada dock, launched following a £9m upgrade and features an automated warehouse and customer web portal offering round-the-clock access to the ordering process.
The site’s users will be able to see stock availability in real time and utilise a vehicle-booking system and precision coil selection to ramp up efficiency, minimise back office processes and improve haulier turnaround times.
Additionally, the terminal offers real-time tracking through an automatic weighing system and customer reporting.
Peel Ports’ port director, David Huck, said: “This is very exciting and significant milestone for Peel Ports because it puts us at the leading edge of steel storage and distribution.
“The facility will revolutionise the efficiency of the UK steel supply chain as no other port in the UK is currently able to offer a comparable service.”
He added: “Along with our close location to UK manufacturing bases we believe this investment will provide significant cost and other supply chain benefits to our customers.”
The investment in the site is a response to an increasing demand for shipping services via Liverpool, according to Peel Ports, which said the seven-figure upgrade has increased the existing terminal’s capacity and enhanced its handling facilities.
The facility comprises 260,000 sq ft of internal storage alongside 100,000 sq ft of external storage, with an annual throughput capacity of 500k tonnes.
To support the investment, Peel Ports has struck a partnership with logistics firm Denholm Handling.
Kieran Hall, commercial director at Denholm Handling, said: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with Peel Ports, bringing our warehousing, distribution and handling expertise at the Port of Liverpool under a shared and integrated customer service platform.
“The inevitable rise in steel imports means there will be increased demand for both space and efficiency which this new terminal will offer.”
