SIX new container vessels could link the city with fast-growing markets in India, as part of an ambitious plan by the Port of Liverpool to grab a share of the sub-continent’s shipping trade with Britain.
Port owner Peel Ports is in discussions with shippers over the trade that has been traditionally dominated by Felixstowe and Southampton.
Around 60% of imports to Britain from India are destined for the North-West, but end up being transported by road from ports in the South-East.
A delegation from Peel recently travelled to India for a conference which included positive talks on creating a new route.
Winning lucrative new trade would be a coup for Liverpool which has traditionally concentrated on North America, Europe and Africa. The service would save £300 on current container costs and would benefit companies in the region that have links to India, such as tea firm Typhoo, Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata, and curry maker Pataks.
The Port of Liverpool, which handles nearly 700,000 container units a year, could pull in another 40,000 boxes bringing goods and raw materials, but a spokesman stressed that discussions were still at a preliminary stage.
Ravindra J Gandhi, director of Hans Maritime Services, Indian agent for Peel Ports, said he envisaged six vessels operating between Liverpool and Mumbai.
He said: “Initially, we would offer a weekly sailing schedule and depending on the demand the frequency could be increased.”
Ken Hayes, UK development manager of Peel Ports, speaking in India, said: “All cargo originating from India gets shipped to places like Felixstowe and Southampton and this in turn gets redirected to its final destination. Sixty per cent of this trade is within 150 miles of Liverpool, which can accommodate Post-Panamax container vessels and offers higher efficiency.
“If the cargo is brought directly to Liverpool, it will bring about a saving of £300 per container by way of handling, the advantage of higher port efficiency and onward transport costs.”
He added that it would be heavily dependent on imports from India, while cargoes such as scrap metal, chemicals and plastic from the UK are in demand in India.
