Due to Belfast Marathon on 04/05/25, please allow extra time to reach the port. Roads may be busier than usual and diversions in place. You can find more details here:
Owner Peel Ports Group is investing £10m in Heysham Port to further increase capacity and efficiencies at the site, which is a key trade link between England, the Island of Ireland and the Isle of Man.
The UK’s second largest port operator will make the substantial investment to future-proof operations and resilience, as well as support customers in increasing volumes they can pass through the port.
The project will include the port’s trailer park being reconfigured, as well as a new multi lane smart gate operating system, and terminal operating system being built at the facility.
The investment will benefit all operators at Heysham Port, with Isle of Man Steam Packet, CLDN and Stena Line all set to gain from improved efficiency, increased capacity and enhanced terminal operations.
The extra space created by reconfiguring the site’s trailer park will accommodate future growth, including Stena Line’s deployment of two new-build state-of-the-art ‘NewMax’ ferries at the port, which will boost freight capacity by 80% compared to previous vessels, and the works will also lead to operational time savings for customers.
The introduction of a new gate operating system will lead to a better experience for hauliers by improving reliability as well as creating additional space at the facility, with the port group removing previous check in points and camera facilities that users would be required to pass through, as part of the renovation works.
The new terminal operating system will make it easier for arriving hauliers to find trailers at the site, improving safety at the port in the process. The works are due to begin in the coming weeks.
David Huck, Chief Operating Officer at Peel Ports Group, said: “This investment is hugely positive news for Heysham Port. We believe this work will future-proof our operations here for decades to come, as well as create growth opportunities for the facility in the process.
“We’ve already received great feedback from our customers about these plans, and it’s clear this infrastructure investment will really benefit our operations here in the years ahead.”
Welcoming the investment, Isle of Man Steam Packet Managing Director Brian Thomson commented:
"This investment is a significant step forward for the port, enhancing efficiency and capacity for all users.
"We welcome these improvements, which will help us continue to grow our operations with confidence."
