MIPIM: Liverpool SuperPort ‘needs more land’
Around 1,000 acres is required to help the diverse sea, river and canal port fulfil its growth potential in the next 20 years, according to a new report due to be released this week by NAI Global commissioned by Liverpool City Region LEP.
Liverpool City Region SuperPort: Market Analysis Land & Property claims that while there is a good supply of building sites to meet Liverpool's existing freight and logistics requirements over the next five years, a further 988 acres to 1,235 acres would be needed to meet demand over the next 20 years.
SuperPort is one of the four main priorities of the Liverpool LEP alongside the low carbon economy, visitor economy and knowledge economy. SuperPort's main infrastructure projects include the Liverpool 2 container terminal at Seaforth, improved port-centric shed facilities, the Mersey Multi Modal Gateway (3MG) in Widnes, Mersey Gateway bridge, the Liverpool John Lennon Airport expansion and Manchester Ship Canal port terminal enhancements.
Mark Basnett, executive director for SuperPort at the LEP, said: "£1bn is currently being invested in port and logistics assets across the city region, transforming our UK freight capability and returning Liverpool to a global port city. With easy access to 35 million people within 150 miles and at the centre of the UK and the heartland of UK manufacturing, Liverpool SuperPort freight and logistics hub offers fantastic opportunities for investors, agents and occupiers alike."
The report argues investment in Liverpool city region's port and logistics assets could significantly enhance the region's attractiveness for retail and manufacturing logistics operations. The LEP believes this has the potential to create upwards of 30,000 jobs for the region over the next two decades.
Paul Danks, European managing director at NAI Global, said: "Logistics is a recognised growth sector in the UK and internationally as businesses adapt to changes in customer demand and methods of sourcing, manufacturing and delivering goods and services.
"SuperPort will help Liverpool secure its position as an innovative, competitive multimodal port, and create opportunities for investors, developers, occupiers and real estate brokers and others active in the global industrial and logistics property market."
A copy of the summary report is available at http://www.liverpoollep.org/priorities/superport.aspx. It will be launched on the NAI Global yacht in MIPIM at 12.30pm on Thursday 13 March.
