Peel Ports will invest GBP30 million (USD37.7 million) to develop a new ro-ro berth at the port of Sheerness, Kent, UK to meet growing demand from new and existing customers.
The project will see a new in-river vessel berth and floating pontoon developed, which will increase capacity for ro-ro cargo handling at the port, catering for larger vessels exceeding 230 m overall length. It will cater for to vessels carrying commodities such as automotives, paper reels and timber, construction machinery and building materials, project cargo, agribulks, and steel.
Volkswagen and who use Sheerness as the primary location for their southern UK operations.
Construction will start with the removal of existing infrastructure before piling is fitted, followed by installation of a new pontoon. The new berth is expected to be operational in the summer of 2025. In addition to supporting larger vessels, the pontoon will support quarter ramp vessels on both sides, plus stern ramp vessels on the adjacent berth.
Peel Ports’ investment comes after launched a new freight service in September from Finland to the port of Sheerness, with further connections available to Belgium, Spain, and Ireland, which will be operated with three Finneco-class hybrid ro-ro vessels.
