CLdN roll on with their British Isles expansion

Liverpool and Dublin are the focus for CLdN, as the company continues to expand its ro-ro services around the British Isles. The Luxembourg-headquartered carrier is making further improvements to its shortsea routes between England and Ireland. To facilitate that programme, the company has announced the start of a multimillion-pound investment in its Brocklebank terminal at the Port of Liverpool.

The announcement marks a new lease on life, and a twenty-first-century makeover on the way, for the nineteenth-century Brocklebank terminal at the Port of Liverpool. The facility was originally built as the Canada Half Tide Dock, and later renamed. Today, the quay serves as the terminal for CLdN services between Liverpool and Dublin. The multimodal operator is now investing in the dock as part of their longer-term plans to increase capacity on their Liverpool-Dublin route.

Strategy of environmental sustainability

CLdN has not disclosed the exact level of investment at the Brocklebank terminal, but it has admitted that the project is a “multi-million-pound” undertaking. The company says the infrastructure upgrades at the terminal will improve the use of space and enhance the flow of cargo movements. Specifically, there will be a new gate set-up, improved drivers’ facilities and a new terminal operating system, which CLdN say will increase efficiency and improve the throughput of shore-side cargo movements.

Brocklebank Dock Liverpool (Google Maps and Google Earth)

On the water, there are plans to enhance the quayside. In practical terms, CLdN says that will facilitate the use of the terminal by larger, more environmentally friendly ships. However, it should be noted that the limiting factor is the lock access to the riverside dock complex. “This investment will further improve our service to customers,” explained Gary Walker, Chief Operating Officer of CLdN RoRo. “These upgrades are part of the CLdN group strategy of investing in its UK port infrastructure and further reducing the carbon footprint of its operations.” The group already has an extensive network of integrated logistics operations around Europe, with an emphasis on reducing its carbon footprint, door to door.

Business as usual during temporary change of dock

CLdN founded its freight services across the Irish Sea on the acquisition of Seatruck, a relatively young UK business, which was rebranded earlier this year as CLdN RoRo. The inherited fleet of ro-ro vessels connects Liverpool and the nearby port of Heysham, with Dublin, and also Warrenpoint near Belfast. CLdN have made their intentions for the British market clear. They have already embarked on an expansion of their facilities on the East Coast of England. The carrier strengthened its presence at Purfleet (London) and Teesport in the North.

The development at Liverpool will mean a temporary summer move for CLdN customers. To facilitate the major infrastructure works, freight operations will be moved just under a kilometre north on the Liverpool waterfront to Gladstone Docks Branch No. 3 for the coming four months. Brocklenbank Dock was opened in 1862, but it was renamed in 1879 in honour of Ralph Brocklebank, an early chairman of the harbour board. CLdN look set to give it many years more service.