A July report from Savills has said there is rising demand for larger warehousing across the country, indicating that the UK could be facing a significant shortage, prompting higher pressure on available capacity. 

The port operator is investing across both Clydeport and Liverpool to make sure customers have access to the storage facilities they require. 

Under a phased programme, one million sq ft of new warehousing space will be delivered, which amounts to roughly 92,000 square metres or approximately 13 football pitches.

The initial phase of investment will deliver a new 100,000 sq ft warehouse at King George V Dock, Glasgow, boosting Clydeport’s capacity to support customers in Scotland, as well as new capacity in Liverpool, where a new 900,000 sq ft warehouse and upgrades to current facilities will aid customer operations in the North West and beyond.

Peel Ports Group is also boosting its logistics offer at Greenock, where specialised bonded warehousing facilities are available to support importers and distributors.

David Huck, chief operating officer, Ports & Marine at Peel Ports Group, said: “Our customers are increasingly looking for high-quality storage space located close to our network of ports, and demand continues to grow across a number of critical industries.

“While economic conditions remain challenging, the strength of demand, particularly across the West of Scotland and North West of England, gives us confidence to make this significant investment.”

Huck added: “The development of new warehousing capacity at King George V Dock, alongside specialised bonded warehousing at Greenock, further strengthens our ability to provide integrated logistics solutions for customers trading through Scotland.”

Keir Mather, minister for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics, said: “Ports are the backbone of the UK economy, ensuring goods and people flow freely in and out of the country.

“This multi-million-pound investment in new warehousing at Liverpool and Glasgow will keep our proud maritime cities competitive, boost local growth and support new, skilled jobs.”

Across Clydeport, the new warehouse capacity in Glasgow and specialised bonded warehousing in Greenock will work to facilitate more flexibility for customers importing and distributing goods in Scotland and the wider UK. 

The investment builds on the operator’s wider objective of expanding logistics and warehousing capabilities in its estate. 

The company has developed over 1.6 million square feet of Grade A warehousing across locations such as Liverpool, Clydeport and London Medway, over the past 15 years, supporting customers involved in steel, metals and bulk commodities among other industries. 

As the projects progress towards completion, more details of the developments will be given.