WEC Lines linking Liverpool to Portugal
This month (April), the Dutch company WEC Lines is beginning a new weekly service, operated by the 882 teu vessel "Francop" between the port of Liverpool (UK) and Setubal and Leixoes, two major ports in Portugal. On the leg to Liverpool, the vessel will carry a range of Iberian products for import into the UK.
WEC Lines becomes the fourth major line announcement for Liverpool in the last few months, following the commitment by the Chinese shipping giant Cosco, and the 2M shipping alliance. The latter confirmed that Liverpool will be a permanent call on its TA4 transatlantic service at the end of 2018.
Five of the world’s biggest shipping lines currently use Liverpool as a global gateway to the north of England and Midlands. Earlier this year Peel Ports announced that it was aiming to create 250 jobs, mostly in Liverpool, to deal with continued business growth. (kd)