Sea
Wirral is home to a key sector of the Port of Liverpool, the major maritime gateway on the west coast of the UK, serving the country's strongest cargo generating region outside London. Wirral's docks offer comprehensive deep sea shipping, warehousing and distribution facilities, encompassed by Britain's largest and most successful free zone. The M53 is just one mile from the waterfront, providing almost immediate access to the national motorway network.
The River Mersey is the focal point for the largest maritime community outside London, employing more than 26,000 people. It also has one of Britain's strongest ship repair industries, and the recent acquisition by Peel Holdings of Cammell Laird shipyards in Wirral, will further stimulate the momentum of maritime renaissance.
Recent investment in port facilities in Wirral has included the £30 million Twelve Quays River Terminal for Irish Sea roll-on, roll-off super ferries, operated by Norfolk Line, for twice daily sailings to Belfast and Dublin.
Twelve Quays has proved a major influence in consolidating the Port of Liverpool's position as the premier gateway for freight crossing the Irish Sea between Britain and Ireland.
Planning consent has been granted to the proposed development by Peel Ports of a £90 million river terminal for the new generation of Post Panamax container ships. Construction of the terminal, close to the mouth of the Mersey, will double the Port of Liverpool's container capacity to nearly 1.5 million units and stimulate commercial activity and growth on both the Wirral and Liverpool banks of the river.
