GREENOCK’S Ocean Terminal could double the number of containers it handles under plans announced yesterday by owners Peel Ports.

The five-year plan is linked to the expansion of the company’s hub at Liverpool.

Very large container ships will offload there to smaller ships serving the Clyde, Manchester and Ireland.

The port operator believes its investment will reduce the amount of freight carried by road.

Clydeport director Andrew Hemphill said: “The opening of Liverpool2 has transformed the playing field for us, bringing deep-sea connections much closer to Scotland and we are now in a unique position, thanks to our Irish Sea hubs.

“Mega ocean container ships can now call directly into Liverpool, which acts as a feeder hub to us in Greenock, allowing closer import and export routes to market.

“It is a more commercially viable, sustainable way to move goods around by sea.”

He added: “Our connections will take traffic off of Britain’s already busy motorways and offer a cheaper more environmentally friendly method of transportation.”

The terminall has been at the heart of Scotland’s shipping industry since 1876, with the container terminal officially opening in 1969.

The 50 acre facility has evolved over time and recently invested £1.6million in straddle carrier to improve operations for its global customer base, with further investment planned.

Mr Hemphill recently recruited a new sales manager who will spearhead Clydeport’s sales strategy as the business embarks on meeting its five year growth targets.

Gillian Johnson officially joined the company in January 2017, bringing with her 25 years of industry experience.

Also the current chair of the Glasgow Freight Club, Gillian plans to challenge historic assumptions and encourage customers to take a good look at their existing supply chains to uncover time and cost savings.

Future plans include extending the quayside by 150metres to support larger vessels coming into Greenock.

The site is also home to three iconic cranes that have become a key focal point of the Firth of Clyde’s skyline and have the ability to lift loads of up to 40 tonnes and outreach across 13 containers.

The news was welcomed by Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan, who said: “I welcome the announcement. The recent investment in Liverpool has not gone unnoticed and I am delighted that Greenock remains a vital link in the supply chain.

“The container terminal is an important trading route and crucial to the economy of Inverclyde.

“This announcement should complement the City Deal investment of more than £14million being spent on expanding the quayside at the Ocean Terminal and building a state of the art visitor centre with car park.

“The Clyde has for a long time been vital to Scotland’s interests abroad and with this announcement I am hopeful the future of trade and tourism in Inverclyde will continue to be an important economic driver for the area.”