UK's container terminals respond to increased competition

As well as increasing capacity, the UK's container terminals are focussing on customer service and investing in new technology and equipment in order to attract and retain customers in what is currently a very competitive environment for the sea freight industry.

The Department for Transport reports that the number of container units handled by the nation's main box ports declined 2% year-on-year in 2012; ports are responding and reflecting on their main selling points in order to compete

According to Containerisation International, DP World London will add 1.6m teu to the UK market when it opens in the final quarter of the year; DP World Southampton will increase its capacity by 300,000 teu by the coming January and the port of Liverpool will be increasing its capacity by double this amount when it opens a new deepsea container terminal in 2015.

In an interview with Containerisation, DP World Southampton emphasised the importance it placed on customer service and the flexibility of the freight services it offers. Aart Hille Ris Lambers, the facility's head of commercial commented:  "We are trying to give a good service to our customers, not only ship side but also land and rail side. One of our best selling points is our rail connections."

Commercial Director of the new London Gateway Charles Meaby, opted to sell the new facility on its location. He commented: "In order for shipping lines to be profitable, they need to fill their ships so they should bring their ships closer to where the cargo wants to be delivered or dispatched from."

Source: Containerisation International