Peel Ports

What Peel Ports does

Peel Ports Group Limited, founded in 2005 and headquartered at the Maritime Centre, Port of Liverpool, is the second-largest port operator in the United Kingdom with approximately 15% UK market share. The group manages a network of eight strategic ports across the UK and Ireland — Clydeport, Dublin, Port of East Anglia (Great Yarmouth), Heysham, Liverpool, London Medway, Manchester Ship Canal, and Humber Bulk Terminal — handling around 70 million tonnes of cargo annually. The company was formed around the 2005 acquisition of the Mersey Dock and Harbour Board and has since invested more than £1bn in infrastructure over the past decade, including the £400m Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal. Its wholly-owned subsidiaries include BG Freight Line (container logistics between Ireland, UK and continental Europe) and Peel Ports Logistics (acquired as Quality Freight UK in May 2019 and rebranded May 2021).

The company sells port-centric services through its PortPlus+ integrated suite of four modules: PortPlus+ Store (on-demand storage), PortPlus+ Move (handling and processing), PortPlus+ Process (end-to-end cargo movement), and PortPlus+ Develop (tailored customer solutions). Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-based port charges (terminal handling, stevedoring, cargo processing, marine services including pilotage, towage and berth management) plus recurring revenue from commercial property rental at port-adjacent locations. Pricing is quote-based, not publicly disclosed, and billed on a pay-as-you-go cadence. Distribution is direct, sales-led, enterprise-focused, with no intermediary channels; the company markets through industry events, direct sales outreach, and strategic partnerships (notably E.ON for solar energy, Hydropol for hydropower, Exolum for energy transition support, and Peel Waters for regeneration).

Peel Ports serves four primary customer segments: shipping lines (container, bulk, RoRo), cargo owners (manufacturers, traders, retailers requiring import/export logistics), logistics providers (freight forwarders and intermodal operators), and property tenants leasing commercial space at port precincts. Named enterprise customers span BG Freight Line, Finsa UK, Cargill, ADM, ACL, NMT Shipping, Drax Group (with a dedicated £100m biomass terminal), CWT Commodities, B&M, Typhoo, Edge Worldwide, Collett & Sons, and Jenkins Group. The company has been recognized as the UK's safest port operator and was the second UK port to achieve ISO 45001 certification, and has set a Net Zero 2040 target with a 32% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions against a 2020 baseline already achieved.

Name

Peel Ports

Legal name

Peel Ports Group Limited

Website

https://peelports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Peel Ports Group is the UK's second-largest port operator, managing 8 strategic ports across the UK and Ireland that handle 70 million tonnes of cargo annually. It serves shipping lines, cargo owners, logistics providers, and property tenants through integrated terminal operations, warehousing, marine services, and its PortPlus+ service platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Operations and Terminal Services

NAICS

Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Port Equipment Operations (Crane Operators, RTG/RMG, Straddle Carrier Operations) (TLAHALAE), Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA), Breakbulk & Project Cargo Handling (Heavy Lift, Out-of-Gauge Handling) (TLAHALAH), Port Call Clearance & Documentation (Arrival/Departure, Customs/Immigration/Health) (TLAHAJAA)

Keywords

• Port terminal operations
• Container logistics services
• Marine towage services
• Warehousing and storage
• Bulk cargo handling

Headquarters

HQ city

Liverpool

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Port Terminal Operations: Terminal handling, stevedoring, and cargo processing services at multiple UK and Irish ports
2. Logistics and Warehousing Services: Storage, distribution, and supply chain management services through PortPlus+ platform
3. Marine Operations: Port marine services including pilotage, towage, and berth management
4. Property and Tenant Services: Commercial property rental and tenant services at port locations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Peel Ports operates a network of eight strategically located ports across the UK and Ireland, providing terminal handling, stevedoring, cargo processing, warehousing, marine services, and integrated logistics solutions. The PortPlus+ suite bundles on-demand storage, handling and processing, end-to-end cargo movement, and tailored development services, while wholly-owned subsidiaries BG Freight Line and Peel Ports Logistics deliver door-to-door shipping and freight forwarding.

Product overview

Peel Ports Group is the UK's second largest port operator offering a portfolio of port-centric services through its PortPlus+ suite and network of eight strategic port locations. The core offering consists of PortPlus+ with four integrated modules: Store (on-demand storage), Move (handling and processing), Process (end-to-end cargo movement), and Develop (tailored solutions). The company operates major ports including Liverpool (home to the Liverpool2 deep-water container terminal), Clydeport, London Medway, Heysham, Dublin, Manchester Ship Canal, Port of East Anglia/Great Yarmouth, and Humber Bulk Terminal. Services span container handling, RoRo operations, bulk cargo, marine services, warehousing, and logistics solutions. The portfolio includes acquired brands Peel Ports Logistics (formerly Quality Freight UK) and BG Freight Line, enabling end-to-end supply chain services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PortPlus+: Integrated port services offering storage (PortPlus+ Store), handling and processing (PortPlus+ Move, PortPlus+ Process), and tailored development solutions (PortPlus+ Develop).
• Liverpool2
• BG Freight Line

Products and services

• PortPlus+ Integrated port-centric services suite providing end-to-end cargo handling solutions at every touchpoint of the supply chain. Bundles four modules: PortPlus+ Store (safe, flexible, on-demand storage), PortPlus+ Move (added value handling and processing solutions), PortPlus+ Process (end-to-end cargo movement services), and PortPlus+ Develop (cost-efficient solutions tailored to specific customer needs). Designed for shipping lines, cargo owners, and logistics providers across the Peel Ports network.
• Liverpool2 Container Terminal Deep-water container terminal at the Port of Liverpool, part of a £400m investment enabling the port to handle the largest ships in the world. Features five ship-to-shore cranes and twelve cantilever rail mounted gantry cranes. Provides deep-sea container handling capability for global shipping lines.
• Port of Liverpool UK's only west-facing deep-sea container terminal handling containers, biomass, RoRo, and dry bulks. Offers automotive logistics, port-centric warehousing, SOLAS container weighing, and terminal operating system services. Hosts the Liverpool2 deep-water terminal, steel and metals terminal, Drax biomass import terminal, and Queen Elizabeth II Dock facilities.
• Clydeport Scotland's gateway to the world operating as harbour authority for 450 square miles of the River Clyde. Offers container depot services, container shipping and logistics, cruise services, marine services, multi-user warehousing, offshore solutions, port security, property, and rail. Operations include Greenock and the Inchgreen Dry Dock.
• London Medway Port located near London, serving as gateway to the capital, South East England, and the Midlands. Handles paper and RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) products, with 75,000m2 of warehouse space and capability to handle over 500,000 tonnes of paper annually.
• Heysham Port Distribution hub serving the Isle of Man, Ireland, and mainland UK with unrestricted access to the Irish Sea. Offers autogate and stevedoring services. Operates RoRo services connecting UK, Ireland, and Isle of Man markets.
• Port of Dublin Ireland's premier container terminal handling an average throughput of 170,000 TEUs per year, helping clients manage efficient supply chains. Operated via Marine Terminals Limited (Dublin), wholly-owned subsidiary of Peel Ports Group.
• Manchester Ship Canal Innovative carbon-efficient waterway ideally placed to service the densely populated north of England. Provides inland water transport solutions connecting Manchester to the Irish Sea and global shipping routes.
• Port of East Anglia / Great Yarmouth Strategically located to serve the oil and gas fields of the southern North Sea, offering the shortest crossing between Britain and continental Europe. Supports offshore wind farm development and energy sector operations with over £10M invested to support growth and jobs.
• Humber Bulk Terminal State-of-the-art facility equipped with modern handling equipment and technology for safely and efficiently handling large volumes of bulk cargo. Provides bulk cargo handling services for industrial and commodity customers.
• Peel Ports Logistics Freight forwarding and logistics services integrated with Peel Ports port operations. Provides chartering and port services operating from a 40-acre multi-modal facility in Ellesmere Port. Offers freight forwarding and logistics services seamlessly integrated with Peel Ports port operations, acquired from Quality Freight UK in May 2019 and rebranded in May 2021.
• BG Freight Line Wholly-owned Peel Ports subsidiary providing comprehensive logistics services to and from Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe including door-to-door shipping, feedering, and quay-to-quay shipping for containerised cargo. Provides shipping services between Dublin and Liverpool and broader Irish Sea routes.
• Port of Liverpool Steel and Metals Terminal Specialist terminal handling steel and metals cargo with heavy lift capabilities and dedicated services for the metals industry. Subject to £100m investment to expand the national steel and metals multimodal hub and achieved ISO 45001 certification.
• Drax Biomass Import Terminal £100 million custom-built biomass import terminal at Gladstone Dock, Liverpool, supporting Drax Power Station's conversion to biomass-fueled electricity generation. Achieved ISO 45001 certification.
• Queen Elizabeth II Dock at Eastham Port facility featuring hydropower generation using twin Archimedean screw generator, powering the site's Green Automotive Hub and supporting net-zero ambitions. Site hosts the Hydropol hydropower project generating approximately 1.5 million kWh of renewable energy annually.
• Marine Services Marine operations spanning Port of Liverpool, London Medway, Clydeport, Port of East Anglia, Heysham, Manchester Ship Canal, and Port of Dublin. Includes pilotage, towage, berth management, and marine environment services for vessel operators across the Peel Ports network.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70 million tonnes of cargo handled annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• E.ONcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for renewable energy infrastructure development. E.ON installed a 25MW rooftop solar installation at Alexandra Dock, supporting Peel Ports' Net Zero 2040 target and sustainability objectives.
• HydropolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydropower project partnership at QEII Dock in Eastham, generating approximately 1.5 million kWh of renewable energy annually. Supports the company's sustainability and decarbonization efforts.
• ExolumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on energy transition support, helping Peel Ports navigate the transition to cleaner energy sources and sustainable port operations.
• Peel WaterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegeneration partnership for major development initiatives at Wirral Waters and North Docks. Collaborative effort on port-adjacent property development and urban regeneration projects.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Associated British Ports (ABP): The UK's largest port operator, running 21 ports across England, Scotland, and Wales. Directly comparable to Peel Ports as the other major UK-wide port group competing for the same shipping lines, cargo owners, and inland logistics customers.
• Forth Ports: UK/Scotland-based port operator owning Tilbury (largest UK port by tonnage) and several Scottish facilities. Comparable as a multi-port UK operator with mixed bulk, container, and ro-ro exposure, competing with Peel Ports' Clydeport and Tilbury-region flows.
• PD Ports: UK port and logistics operator based in Teesside handling containers, bulk, and project cargo with associated warehousing. Comparable as a regional UK port operator with integrated terminal and warehousing services competing for similar cargo owners.
• Irish Continental Group: Irish ferry and container operator providing ro-ro and lift-on/lift-off services on Irish Sea and Ireland-UK-Continental Europe routes. Directly comparable as an Irish port/shipping operator overlapping Peel Ports' Dublin, BG Freight Line, and Irish Sea activities.

Broad incumbents

• DP World: Global port operator (part of Dubai-based DP World) operating London Gateway, one of the UK's largest deep-water container terminals. Comparable as a major UK port operator with deep-pocketed global backing and modern infrastructure competing for the same container customers.
• Hutchison Ports: CK Hutchison's global port arm operating Felixstowe and Harwich in the UK, plus Thamesport. Comparable as a UK container terminal operator within a much larger global port network, competing for deep-sea container volumes.
• PSA International: One of the world's largest container terminal operators, state-owned by Singapore's Temasek. Comparable as a deep-pocketed global terminal operator whose investments in European ports (e.g., Belgium, via partnerships) compete for the same shipping line customers that call UK ports.

Others

• Stena Line: One of the world's largest ferry operators running Irish Sea routes including Heysham (a Peel Ports location). Comparable as a shipping customer/operator whose volumes directly drive Peel Ports' RoRo and Irish Sea terminal throughput.
• Port of Rotterdam Authority: Europe's largest port authority managing container, bulk, and breakbulk cargo with significant UK/Irish feeder trade. Comparable as a benchmark European port operator and as a key transshipment hub feeding Peel Ports' deep-sea container volumes.

Regional players

• Eurogate: German container terminal operator with facilities in Hamburg, Bremerhaven, and other European ports. Comparable as a European-focused container terminal operator serving the same shipping line customers, though not directly competing on UK quayside.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PeelPorts
• Facebookfacebook.com/PeelPorts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/peel-ports

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Peel Ports