Turkish cement specialist Medcem teams up with Peel Ports in a £35m investment to create a new deep-water cement import terminal at the Port of Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports

Turkish cement company Medcem is to create a £35m deep water cement import terminal at the Port of Liverpool.

In anticipation of a surge in demand from the UK construction sector, Medcem will team up with port owner Peel Ports to build the new facility which will comprise four silos with a combined storage capacity of 45,000 tonnes.

This new terminal will be built at the former P&O Ferries site at Gladstone Dock. Construction work on the terminal is scheduled to begin shortly with completion anticipated by mid-2026.

Enver Celikbas, business development and investments director at Medcem, said: “This new terminal significantly strengthens our presence in the UK market, consolidating our position as the leading provider of low-carbon cement and cementitious materials.

“The logistical advantages of Liverpool allow us to enhance our ability to accommodate large vessels and product handling. This strengthens our supply chain, ensuring a more efficient and reliable service for our clients across the region.”

Government plans to kick-start the building of 1.5m new homes in the UK during the life of the current parliament means Medcem expects increased demand from the construction industry.

The facility will be designed to handle cement and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). SCMs, such as fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag, are key components in producing low-carbon concrete, reducing reliance on traditional Portland cement. 

By facilitating the use of these materials, the terminal supports the transition to greener building practices. The 5.75-acre site allows for future expansion and increased storage capacity in subsequent phases.

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Andrew Martin, group development director at Peel Ports Group, added: “Logistics and construction are deeply interconnected. By creating smarter, more sustainable import hubs like this one, we can help building firms secure the materials they need.

“Modern ports like ours do far more than handle cargo over the quayside. We offer processing and storage facilities that streamline construction logistics, reduce road freight, and accelerate delivery timelines.

“This project reinforces Liverpool’s role as a base for investment that can drive regional, national and international growth, while opening up new employment opportunities and creating for a sustainable future for the city region.”