PEEL Ports Group, owner of the Port of Liverpool, has commenced the second phase of its expansion programme at Liverpool2, the company announced.
The company is to invest in equipment and port infrastructure works to expand the terminal and introduce further leading edge port technology solutions, said the press release.
This includes the installation of a further three ship-to-shore cranes and 10 cantilever rail mounted gantry cranes.
"These will add to the previous five STS cranes and 12 CRMG cranes installed as part of Phase 1 which was opened in November last year. Liverpool2 will have the capacity to manage the unloading of two 380-metre vessels simultaneously," said the company statement.
There will also be additional reefer points installed to allow the terminal to handle even greater quantities of refrigerated containers at the Port of Liverpool.
"The world class facilities will allow us to capture and grow a greater share of the container market, offering cargo owners in the north a more competitive route to market, getting their goods closer to their end destination," said Peel Ports CEO Mark Whitworth.
"We are in a good place in our discussions with shipping lines; there are more opportunities on the horizon at the Port and our confidence is high as a result." Mr Whitworth said.
Peel Ports has secured 200 signatories for its Cargo200 initiative - calling on shippers whose goods are destined for the North of England to switch from south-east ports to cut inland freight mileage 200 million miles by 2020.
Launched in November 2016, Liverpool2 represents a GBP400 million (US$521.2 million) investment that provides a state-of-the-art ocean gateway for international trade to and from the UK.
The deep water facility is capable of accommodating the world's largest containerships and connects road, rail and canal networks linking directly to the heart of the British mainland, accessing a catchment of over 35 million people, 58 per cent of the UK's population.