The Peel Ports Group have been awarded the accolade 'Port Operator of the Year for 2021'  after securing the most online votes, amongst those who voted, from the maritime directory’s 15,000-strong readership of professionals in the sector.

The win comes off the back of what was a game-changing year for Peel Ports, with the group demonstrating resilience in the face of the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic and Brexit.

As one of the largest port groups in the UK, Peel Ports manages several key regional trading hubs for the UK economy, including major facilities in Liverpool, London Medway and Glasgow. (Afloat adds the group operates in Dublin Port, Marine Terminals Ltd (MTL) where the container facility handles 250,000 TEU’s per year, with direct LoLo connections from/to the UK, Netherlands, France, Iberia and onwards worldwide).

The awards victory comes on the back of a decade of strong financial performance and investment, which has seen year on year average growth of 10%, and circa £1.2 billion invested on infrastructure which has contributed to significant employment, regeneration and regional growth.

In partnership with some of the biggest shipping names in the industry, Peel Ports announced several new services in 2021 including a freight-only ferry service connecting Sheerness and Calais from the award-winning operator, DFDS, and a new multi-modal extension with DKT Allseas to complement its pioneering China Xpress liner service.

The win also comes off the back of the Group’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040 and recognises its ongoing work to lower emissions by delivering fuel efficiency programmes. More than £1.2bn has been invested across the last decade on sustainable infrastructure and technology to future proof its operations, including the delivery of energy-efficient cranes, LED lighting and choosing sustainable, low emission equipment and suppliers.