Growing with India’s maritime capacity
With a vision to transform the UK’s current logistics model and allowing direct calls from all over the world, Liverpool2 can provide the structure and logistical ability to Indian businesses to develop in a cost-effective manner. In an interview with CAR
Please brief us about Peel Port and its services.
With a network of strategically situated ports, terminals, hubs, shipping lines and state-of-the-art services, Peel Ports connects the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland with Europe and the rest of the world.
Liverpool2 is Peel Ports’ new deep-water container terminal at the Port of Liverpool that is due for completion in 2015. With the vision to be the UK’s largest transatlantic deep-sea port and container terminal, the company is investing US$512 million in the development.
Your reasons for selecting India to promote bilateral trade?
Liverpool today is a global container port, and we are looking to improve our global reach. There are certain trades within that global reach that we have recognised as being priorities, but where we do not have a significant current footprint. For us, India most certainly is one of those priorities. We have some good business contacts with in the market already, largely through the general cargo and bulk cargo side of our business through the rest of our ports.
We are aware of a range of commodities originating in India destined for the North of England and Ireland which comprise of products from construction materials to garments and sportswear. We also have significant export shipments from the UK and Ireland, closer to Liverpool than other ports destined for the Indian market. We can provide the structure and logistical abilities for the business to develop in a cost effective way.
What type of cargo do you expect to see trading with India?
As a container port, we will handle anything that can be containerized. So, today we see that we handle a range of cargo that is anything from construction material; we are seeing container loads of stone and ceramic tile for instance coming from India to-garments – which we know are destined to our region because we are aware of the volumes of containers being shipped to some of the major clothing retailers,- many of those come from India. As I say, it’s the whole range of consumables that can be containerised.
How will the new deep water container terminal benefit shippers?
The supply chain in UK is changing with the increase in cost of land transport and companies seek out more effective access to the UK market. The Port of Liverpool’s state-of-the-art facility and technology will provide top-notch services to Indian international shipping and freight forwarding companies.
With Liverpool’s current vessel size restrictions removed and Panama Canal being widened, the new terminal will be capable of giving the ability to handle the largest container vessels, allowing more direct calls from all over the world.
What expectations do you have from the new Government?
We see the new Government in India as very keen to ensure that port infrastructure should be improved. The aim is to improve infrastructure supporting the ports so they can handle their hinterlands more effectively.
With Liverpool2, we are also trying to create effective transportation benefits through our proximity to the markets, our connectivity by road, rail and inland waterway and by providing the most efficient terminal operation.
In 2013 there was a dip in terms of the volume and value of exports from UK to India, and I think that was contributable to economic issues at that time. During the course of this year, the volume has increased again and it is our view that it will continue to grow.