Peel Ports Medway invests millions in car import facility

Peel Ports Medway has announced that it will make a “multi-million investment” to build a new Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) centre at the Port of Sheerness, in South East England, after signing a 10-year deal with Volkswagen Group UK.

The port operator says that the eight-acre facility will increase the automobile imports capacity into Sheerness by 50,000 vehicles annually.

“Last year we handled around 330,000 vehicles and this PDI facility creates a step change of 50,000 additional automobiles, at a time when core volumes are already growing steadily year on year,” said Miles Hearn, port director for Peel Ports Medway.

Operated by GBA Group, the PDI centre will ensure vehicle compliance and provide services to apply customer-required options.

Matthew Bowden, head of Group Vehicle Planning and Logistics for Volkswagen Group UK, said that “Peel Ports Medway was the optimal site for our new PDI centre” because of its “highly skilled workforce” and Sheerness’s proximity to the UK’s transport network.

“The automotive sector in the UK is thriving,” said Hamish Scott, Peel Ports’ strategy director. “Sale of vehicles made here and overseas are approaching pre-recession levels. That rapid growth and optimism represents a major opportunity for Peel Ports to work with vehicle manufacturers, logistics companies and shipping lines to shorten supply chains, reduce carbon emissions and save money.”