Peel Ports to expand steel and metals capacity

Photo courtesy of Peel Ports

Peel Ports Group, the UK’s second-largest port operator, has announced a £32 million investment to expand its steel and metals handling infrastructure across its Liverpool and London Medway operations. The move will see an additional 140,000ft² of storage added at the Port of Liverpool, with total warehousing capacity across both ports increasing by 50% — from 1 million ft² to 1.5 million ft². The expansion comes on the back of a record-breaking year for steel imports at Liverpool, where 702,000 tonnes of bulk steel were processed in 2024, marking a 35% year-on-year increase.

Peel Ports is also planning to introduce a second automated steel coil terminal in Liverpool and a new automated metals terminal at Sheerness, London Medway. A new inland rail terminal in the Midlands will link the two deep-water ports, enhancing intermodal connectivity and streamlining national distribution.

David Huck, chief operating officer at Peel Ports Group, said: “This is a game-changing investment. Demand for steel and metals handling has risen sharply, and this expansion ensures we have the scale, speed, and specialist expertise to support the UK’s construction and manufacturing supply chains.”

The group recently became the first UK port operator to join the Aluminium Federation (ALFED), signalling a broader commitment to metals logistics. Peel Ports’ strategic investment underscores the growing importance of efficient, scalable infrastructure in supporting Britain’s industrial base — particularly as global sourcing and domestic demand continue to rise.