Port Director Doug Morrison welcomed the news, saying: “This consent allows us to press forward with important works at Berths 201/2. With the size of container vessels continuing to increase, the container terminal can no longer accommodate four of the largest container ships simultaneously – this development will rectify that situation by creating the “lost” fourth berth.”
The main works, which will involve an investment of approximately UK£80 million, will commence on site in September 2012 with completion anticipated by the end of 2013. The consent was received at the same time as Network Rail completed extensive works to upgrade the rail capacity for containers moving between the port and the West Coast Mainline.