Peel Ports has been recognised as Seaport of the Year at the North of England Transport Awards in Manchester, thanks to its Liverpool2 container terminal project.

Judges of the inaugural North of England Transport Awards acknowledged the significant supply chain opportunities the new terminal will open up across the North, helping to strengthen the northern economy.

The £400 million investment by Peel Ports, one of the UK’s biggest port operators, provides a state-of-the-art ocean gateway for UK importers and exporters with road, rail and canal connections linking directly to the heart of the UK, accessing a catchment of over 35 million people.

Liverpool2, which is one of the UK’s largest private sector infrastructure projects, was developed in response to changing trading patterns and shipping industry trends towards the use of ‘mega’ ocean-going container ships. The Port of Liverpool is now able to handle the biggest container vessels in the world.

Mark Whitworth, chief executive of Peel Ports, said: “To be recognised as the Seaport of the Year at the very first North of England Transport Awards caps off what has been a great 12 months for the company. With the recent opening of Liverpool2, strong performance at the port generally, and the opening of the Port Salford warehouse and distribution centre, we’re very well placed for the opportunities ahead in 2017.

“The North is growing in confidence and these awards are important in celebrating our strengths and achievements as we seek to rebalance the UK economy. It’s a great honour to be recognised as Seaport of the Year, which acknowledges the exceptional service we’ve delivered to our customers in the last 12 months, and the steps we’ve taken to future-proof the Port of Liverpool.”

Peel Ports was also highly commended in the Economic Productivity Project of the Year category, which recognises region-wide potential for boosting the economy and productivity of the whole of the North, by enabling cities and other centres of economic activity to work more effectively together or by creating highly skilled jobs in the region, for the benefit of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ as a whole.