A new 15-year contract extension for container and roll-on/roll-off operations at the Port of Liverpool until the year 2035 has been agreed with Atlantic Container Line (ACL).

According to the port's operator, Peel Ports Group, ACL is already the largest ocean-carrier operating at Liverpool’s Royal Seaforth Container Terminal (RSCT). The line which is a Grimaldi Group Company, is also the English north-west port’s longest serving container carrier.

This new agreement demonstrates ACL’s confidence in the growing volume of transatlantic trade between the UK and North America and ACL’s commitment to the Port of Liverpool and the strong relationship forged for more than 50 years.

Peel Ports is making a significant investment at RSCT to accommodate ACL’s new fleet of G4 vessels (see Afloat report) which are registered in the UK and fly the Red Ensign. The passage entrance into the Seaforth Basin has been widened by 28 metres to allow safe access for the large G4 vessels into the terminal.

In addition, Peel Ports is investing in two Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes with increased height and reach, adding capacity to the dedicated vehicle storage area to handle ACL’s growing cargo requirements. The overall project expected to be completed during 2021.

ACL ships over 125,000 units of containers, cars and RORO machinery per annum, and supports a substantial supply chain with a critical link between the UK's export and import trades. ACL ships call at Liverpool twice each week, its fastest import and export transatlantic service.

Liverpool connects ACL’s customers in the British industrial heartland, Scotland and Ireland with North America. The unique long-term relationship between ACL’s Terminal Operations and the Peel Ports operations team provides customers with cutting-edge technologies and improved cargo efficiency for all containers, roll-on/roll-off and breakbulk cargo.

Atlantic Container Line’s vessels have called at the Port of Liverpool since 1967. ACL holds a major place in British maritime history and was Europe’s first dedicated container line. Cunard Line of Liverpool was one of ACL’s original shareholders.