THE Port of Greenock has secured a new weekly deep sea container service that will directly connect Scotland to the Mediterranean market of Turkey.
The new call is an extension of an existing service run by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, which already calls at the Port of Liverpool.
The MSC Freeport arrived into the port on Monday as part of the weekly service, before departing on Tuesday night.
Port operator Peel say the addition of Greenock to the route is a seal of approval for Greenock’s market-leading offering including the £25million investment in new ship-to-shore cranes, capable of servicing larger container vessels.
The service rotation, which also includes Spain, Portugal and France, will significantly enhance sea-borne connectivity from Scotland to the Far East, India and Pakistan.
It will provide a boost for Scottish exports, including commodities such as whisky and other alcohol types and plastics, as well as significant imports of food, packaging materials and manufactured products.
Jim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports Clydeport, said: “It’s fantastic to have this vote of confidence in the Port of Greenock, and we look forward to welcoming this game-changing new service to Scotland.
“This direct call will increase trade between Scotland and Turkey, while also providing enhanced UK west coast connectivity, as well as connectivity to the more distant markets in the US and Asia. It will also serve to reduce both transit times and carbon emissions in the supply chain, to and from Scotland.
“Our £25million investment in two new cranes, which will be fully operational later this year, is the largest single investment in the terminal since it opened in 1969.
“These modern and technologically advanced cranes will not only significantly increase operational efficiency and productivity in the port but will also increase our capability to service bigger post-panamax vessels.
“With 17m higher and 7.5m longer outreach than the current cranes, we will be able to service significantly higher on-deck stowage and broader beam.”
