ACL withdrew from Liverpool in June, after being hit by the dispute. It used Thamesport for a month, but later reverted to Liverpool. The move back is believed to have been due to Thamesport being unable to cope properly with ACL's requirements. The company confirmed to the US "Journal of Commerce" that it lost customers following the move to Thamesport.
Other UK ports clearly believe they can provide the facilities ACL requires and that the company is still open to moving from Liverpool because of the problems they are having over the Mersey docks dispute.
Felixstowe managing director Derek Harrington said: "We have been in contact with ACL, as we have with all potential customers." Felixstowe already accounts for more than half the UK's transatlantic trade.
Another UK container port also said that it would be happy to invest in required facilities if ACL made a commitment to it.
ACL refused to comment to Lloyd's List on the speculation that it ultimately intends switching permanently from Liverpool to yet another UK port.
Report compiled by LabourNet 7 August 1996
