The Port of Liverpool, a major and growing UK gateway for goods exported from India, has won the Containerisation International Port Authority of the Year Award.Mr. Ravindra Gandhi, Director of Hans Maritime Services Pvt. Ltd, who represents The Port of Liverpool in India, said: “This is a great accolade for Liverpool, which is a hugely important gateway for Indian goods entering the UK market. “Around 60% of current trade from India to the UK ends up within 150 miles radius of The Port of Liverpool. Its central position in the UK offers significant cost savings as well as the added environmental benefits of a more efficient supply chain.”
Mr. Razi Khan, a buyer and supply chain manager at Typhoo, imports tea to the UK from the ports of Kolkata, Kochi and Tuticorin as well as other tea growing countries. He stated that by using the centrally positioned Port of Liverpool, as opposed to the southern UK ports, Typhoo has been able to make substantial cost savings and meet its targets for reducing carbon emissions.
Mr. Khan observed: “We save around GBP500/40ft by bringing our cargo into the UK through Liverpool, including customs and storage. In 2010 we imported just 20% of our tea through Liverpool. We currently have around 60% coming through the port, and our target is to have 100% entering the UK market through The Port of Liverpool within the next five years. Our close partnership with the port has been crucial to improving our supply chain and business model. I am delighted that the port has been recognised for the outstanding service it offers its customers.”
The Port of Liverpool, which won the award despite stiff competition from other global ports including Los Angeles, Antwerp and Charleston, is about to embark on a £300 million deep water container terminal, “Liverpool2”.
Mr. Gary Hodgson, Managing Director of the port, pointed out: “This investment is the most significant development for our shippers, exporters and importers for decades. It will dramatically increase Port of Liverpool’s ability to handle the largest and most modern vessels afloat and offer a wide range of benefits to our customers in terms of efficiency, environmental impact and cost reductions.”
Work will get under way on Liverpool2 early in 2013. The landmark terminal, which will bring some of the world’s largest container ships to the River Mersey, will be open for business in 2015.
Located on the River Mersey, it will avoid vessel size restrictions of the current container terminal, which is located within a closed dock system accessed by locks. The £300m investment will generate in the region of 5000 jobs.
Mr. Stephen Carr, Head of Business Development, noted: “The Indian sub-continent is an extremely important market for The Port of Liverpool and one which we see benefitting enormously from the establishment of Liverpool2. The response we have had is extremely encouraging. We are receiving a growing number of enquiries from shipping lines, freight-forwarders and manufacturers in India who want to know how they can benefit from our exciting plans.”
The Port of Liverpool received the International Port Authority of the Year Award from global ports industry Bible Containerisation International at a prestigious annual ceremony in London. The port was recognised for its progressive and innovative approach beyond the port gates, as well as for its ambitious development plans.
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