Port of Lpool and Mersey Docks and Harbor Company

[Kev]

MERSEY Docks and Harbour Company yesterday reported it has set seven new records in the past year, as the port company reported increased profits.

The group handled its highest ever volume of cargo and the Port of Liverpool was busier than at any time in the past.

In the past year the MDHC Group has handled

* 38.5m tonnes - a record

* almost 32m tonnes of that through the Port of Liverpool - a record.

* 578,000 container units through Liverpool - a record

* 2.6m tonnes of recycled metals - a record

* imported over 3m tonnes of coal - a record

* carried 734,000 passengers - a record

* shipped 352,000 containers on MDHC-owned shipping lines - a record.



Good news eh?

[Kev]

ONE of the biggest shipping companies in Iceland has agreed a deal to extend its operations to Liverpool for the first time.

Samskip, based in Reykjavik, has acquired the Liverpool based agency representation of TECO Lines from Vogt & Maguire Liner.

Staff at the agency, based in the Cotton Exchange in Old Hall Street, will transfer to Samskip from tomorrow.

The aim is to expand the Liverpool office by attracting more shipping activity.

The first sailing handled by the Samskip Liverpool office will be the Kurkse, arriving and sailing from Felixstowe on April 8.

Last night, Samskip's UK managing director Simon Dwyer said: "The acquisition of the agency operation is seen as an excellent opportunity for us to further strengthen our position in the UK market."

Samskip, which has a UK base in Immingham, will take over the current Vogt & Maguire Liner TECO staff in Liverpool.

The company intends to continue with the Liverpool operation as a new branch office and integrate further group activities into the Liverpool office, a move that will ensure continuity for TECO Lines shippers and consignees as well as for the three office staff involved.

The Samskip Group employs 800 staff and has an annual turnover of around 200m euros.

[Kev]

THE Port of Liverpool has gained unexpected trade as a result of the criminal activities of Northern Ireland terrorist groups.

Tobacco group Gallaher has started shipping cigarettes manufactured in Northern Ireland to smokers in the Republic of Ireland via Liverpool to get round the danger of hijackings.

Smokin!!!