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Meridian Port Authority  ·  Est. 1892

THE GATEWAY
TO GLOBAL
COMMERCE

78 berths. 2,400 vessel movements annually. Connecting manufacturers, traders and economies across 140 countries through world-class maritime infrastructure.

78
Berths
42M
Tonnes Handled
140
Countries Served
Meridian Port at dusk — shipping cranes over harbour
42M
Tonnes per Year
2,400
Vessel Movements
132
Years of Operation
7,800
Direct Employees
Our Mandate

STRATEGIC MARITIME INFRASTRUCTURE

01
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

A vessel turnaround time of under 18 hours sets the standard for our industry. We invest continuously in technology, equipment and training to maintain that edge.

02
SUSTAINABLE LOGISTICS

Our net-zero by 2040 roadmap covers electrified quayside equipment, shore power for all vessels and a 40% reduction in port-related logistics emissions by 2030.

03
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

The port is the region's largest employer. Our community fund invests £12 million annually in education, housing and infrastructure for the 180,000 people who live in our catchment.

FOUR SPECIALIST TERMINALS

All Services
Container Terminal
Terminal A
CONTAINER
30M TEU annual capacity with 12 STS cranes
Bulk Cargo Terminal
Terminal B
BULK CARGO
Grain, coal, ore and agri-products handling
Ro-Ro Terminal
Terminal C
RO-RO & VEHICLES
Automotive and rolling stock logistics
LNG Terminal
Terminal D
ENERGY & LNG
Liquefied natural gas and offshore energy support
Port operations
Est.
1892

132 YEARS OF MARITIME LEADERSHIP

Meridian Port Authority was established by Act of Parliament in 1892 as a trust port — operating in the public interest with no shareholders and all surpluses reinvested in infrastructure. Today we manage the nation's second-largest commercial port, handling 42 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Operations

THE PORT LOGISTICS CYCLE

Stage 01
VESSEL SCHEDULING

All vessel arrivals are coordinated 72 hours in advance through our Port Operations Centre, managing tide windows, berth allocation and service crew deployment.

Stage 02
PILOTAGE & BERTHING

Meridian's 42 licensed pilots guide vessels from the approaches through our 18-metre deep-water channel to their assigned berth, 24 hours a day.

Stage 03
CARGO HANDLING

Cranes, automated straddle carriers and conveyor systems work simultaneously to achieve the fastest possible cargo discharge and loading rates in the sector.

Stage 04
CUSTOMS & COMPLIANCE

Our integrated customs and border coordination ensures seamless inspection and clearance — reducing dwell time through pre-arrival documentation processing.

Stage 05
ONWARD DISTRIBUTION

Intermodal connections to rail, road and inland waterway ensure cargo moves efficiently from the port estate to final destinations across the country and Europe.

Our Legacy

132 YEARS OF COMMERCE

1892
Royal Charter

Established by Act of Parliament as a trust port, serving the region's growing industrial export economy.

1968
Container Revolution

First port in the country to convert a terminal to dedicated container handling, pioneering modern logistics.

2009
LNG Terminal Opens

Commissioning of the national LNG importation terminal, securing energy supply for 4 million homes.

2023
Green Port 2040

Launch of the industry-leading sustainability roadmap committing to net-zero port operations by 2040.

Industry Recognition

WHAT THE SECTOR SAYS

"Meridian consistently delivers the best vessel turnaround times in the European north range. Their operational model is the benchmark."

Lloyd's List  ·  Port Performance Index 2025

"The Green Port 2040 roadmap is the most ambitious sustainability commitment we have seen from any port authority in Northern Europe."

Port Strategy Magazine  ·  Sustainability Report

"Meridian's community fund model should be adopted as standard for all UK trust ports. It demonstrates that infrastructure and community benefit are not in conflict."

UK Ports Review  ·  Annual Awards 2024

DISCUSS YOUR CARGO NEEDS

Whether you are a shipping line seeking berth allocation, a cargo owner exploring terminal services or a developer interested in our port estate, our commercial team is available to discuss your requirements.