Peel Ports Group Plans 1 Million Square Feet of New Warehousing at Liverpool and Glasgow Ports

Peel Ports Group, the UK's second-largest port operator, announced a multi-million-pound investment to create more than 1 million square feet of additional Grade A warehousing capacity across its network, with new facilities planned at the Port of Liverpool and King George V Dock in Glasgow.

The phased programme equates to approximately 92,000 square metres, or around 13 football pitches, according to the company. The announcement was made on October 7, 2026.

Peel Ports Group Development Programme: Liverpool and Glasgow

The initial phase of investment will focus primarily on the Port of Liverpool, where Peel Ports Group plans a new 900,000 sq ft warehouse as well as upgrades to existing facilities. The company said the Liverpool development will support growing customer operations across the North West and beyond.

A further 100,000 sq ft facility will be developed at King George V Dock in Glasgow, which the company said will strengthen its warehousing network across the UK. King George V Dock is a site of roughly 40 hectares with about 60,000 square metres of covered storage, a 1,600-metre quay and an operating depth of approximately 8.5 metres chart datum. Within the Port of Liverpool, Huskisson Dock offers a 100,000 sq ft development site, though the announcement does not state whether it will host any portion of the 900,000 sq ft scheme.

Peel Ports said further details of the developments will be announced as the projects progress toward completion.

Demand From Fertiliser, Chemicals and Defence Customers

Peel Ports said demand is being driven by a number of strategically important sectors, including fertiliser, chemicals, defence, manufacturing and other bulk commodity markets. The company reported a significant increase in fertiliser-related enquiries in recent months as importers and distributors seek reliable, accredited storage to support agricultural supply chains and help maintain product availability across the UK.

The new facilities are also intended to provide enhanced support for chemical customers requiring specialist storage capabilities and compliance standards, as well as defence-related supply chains that depend on secure, well-connected logistics infrastructure close to key transport gateways.

The company said businesses are increasingly reviewing their supply chain strategies in response to changing global trade patterns, evolving customer requirements and the need for greater resilience. More organisations are seeking port-centric warehousing solutions that reduce transportation costs, improve operational efficiency and provide direct access to major import and export routes, Peel Ports said.

Executive and Government Comment

David Huck, Chief Operating Officer Ports & Marine at Peel Ports Group, said customers are increasingly looking for high-quality storage space located close to the company's network of ports, and that demand continues to grow across a number of critical industries.

"While economic conditions remain challenging, the strength of demand, particularly in Liverpool and across the wider North of England and West Coast of Scotland, gives us confidence to make this significant investment."

Huck added that warehousing close to the quayside enables customers to streamline operations, reduce transport movements, improve speed to market and enhance supply chain resilience.

Keir Mather, Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Logistics, said ports are the backbone of the UK economy.

"This multi-million pound investment in new warehousing at Liverpool and Glasgow will keep our proud maritime cities competitive, boost local growth and support new, skilled jobs."

Mather also said the government is backing UK maritime with £448 million to drive innovation and deliver clean fuels and technologies.

UK Logistics Market Context

The announcement comes as a July report by Savills pointed to increasing demand for larger warehousing across the country, raising the prospect of a shortage of capacity. Other 2026 market data show strong occupier activity in large-format space:

• UK logistics take-up reached 8.4 million sq ft in the first quarter of 2026, with almost 7 million sq ft leased in big-box units larger than 100,000 sq ft.
• Knight Frank reported UK logistics take-up of 10.3 million sq ft in the second quarter of 2026. The vacancy rate rose to 8.0% as second-hand space returned to the market, while the availability of new stock was 30% lower year over year.
• Prime rents for units of at least 50,000 sq ft were approximately £10.00 per sq ft.
• Cushman & Wakefield reported annual UK industrial rental growth above 4% in early 2026, with prime logistics and industrial investment yields of approximately 4.75%.
• JLL recorded 12.9 million sq ft of UK big-box take-up in the first half of 2026, up 3% year over year, with 10.9 million sq ft under offer at midyear. Grade A availability remained 3% below the prior year.

Overall vacancy has risen because older space is returning to the market, while the supply of new, large-format buildings remains constrained. That distinction may matter for sectors such as chemicals, fertiliser and defence, which may not be able to use ordinary second-hand stock.

Peel Ports Group's Warehousing Track Record

Peel Ports Group said the investment builds on its wider commitment to expanding logistics and warehousing capabilities across its estate. Over the last 15 years, the company has developed more than 1.6 million sq ft of Grade A warehousing across locations including the Port of Liverpool and London Medway, supporting customers involved in steel, metals, bulk commodities and other key industries.

The group's turnover increased from £693.7 million to £766.5 million, a 10.5% increase, according to its 2025 financial statements.

The new facilities will further enhance the company's ability to provide integrated port-centric logistics solutions, combining warehousing, shipping, rail and road connectivity to support customers across the UK and international supply chains, Peel Ports said.

Outlook for Port-Centric Logistics

In Liverpool, the 900,000 sq ft facility would be a substantial regional addition that could compete with or complement inland logistics parks across the North West. In Glasgow, the 100,000 sq ft building would expand covered storage within a dock estate that already supports bulk commodities and specialised cargo.

Sources

• Peel Ports Group: Multi-million-pound investment in new warehousing amid surging demand from critical UK industries