Logistics Leaders Network - Freeths Real Estate Blog

Logistics Leaders Network. The Logistics Leaders Network held its annual lunch on 26 May 2015 at the Liner Hotel in Liverpool, with Freeths (as LLN’s legal sponsor) represented by Nicola Grange, Stephen Lewis and Neil Armitage. This was the first time that the event had taken place in the North and given the impressive turnout and great feedback it’s likely to return soon. Two days beforehand Liverpool had seen the arrival of the Three Queens to mark the 175th anniversary of Cunard (one of the event sponsors), so this year’s event had a nautical theme and was held in the Britannic Suite of the Liner hotel, which is laid out like the deck of a cruise ship. The first of two presentations was given by Bernard Molloy, Global Industrial Director of Unipart Aftermarket Logistics. Bernard gave us a great insight into what appears to be the Northern Powerhouse’s best kept secret – the development and opening of Liverpool 2 in the latter half of this year. Sadly for the shoppers amongst us, this is not an extension to the Liverpool 1 shopping centre. Liverpool 2, developed in conjunction with the widening of the Panama Canal, will be the UK’s most central deep water container terminal, providing importers and exporters with closer access to the UK’s warehousing “Golden Triangle”. It sounds like a very exciting project and is being seen as the first step of the Northern Powerhouse cities in a plan to redress the North-South logistics divide by attracting business currently using the southern ports. Unfortunately, it seems that the transport infrastructure required to deal with the predicted increase of traffic using Liverpool 2 is some 2 to 3 years behind the port itself, and it’s not yet clear what solution the Northern Powerhouse (and Mr Osborne) have in mind. Not to be outdone, Sermet Baykaner, Supply Chain Director for Cunard then gave us a blow by blow account of the challenges he faces to ensure that his 11 “floating towns” are always on time every time and fully supplied for their busy annual sailing schedules. Unfortunately he wasn’t giving away any vouchers! Our thanks to Peter Acton and the Logistics Leaders Network for hosting a truly entertaining and insightful event. Neil Armitage Solicitor Dispute Resolution.