Port of Garston

The Port of Garston, also known as Garston Docks is an enclosed tidal dock system on the River Mersey at Garston, approximately 6 mi from Liverpool City centre Liverpool, England. It is operated by Associated British Ports who are the Harbour Authority. Peel Ports as Competent Harbour Authority for the River Mersey provide Pilotage for any non exempt vessels calling at the Port.

History
Garston Dock was originally set up by the St. Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway Company in June 1853. It contains Old Dock, North Dock and Stalbridge Dock.

By 1936 the 3 docks had 28.5 acre of water, 70 mi of sidings, 80 acre of storage and dealt with about two million tons of goods a year.

Present day
The present site covers 65 acres. Approximately 330kt of imported freight is handled per annum. Cargo is no longer exported from Garston. Fertiliser, decorative stone, minerals and agribulks are imported. Sea dredged aggregate (sand), around 65% of total throughput, is primary commodity handled. Cement is imported via a Terminal Operator. Organic wheat, steel products, RDF, palletised/bulk chemicals lightweight aggregate and de_icing salt imports along with scrap exports have been switched to other port facilities locally and elsewhere within UK in recent years. Between 2012 & 2017, ABP invested several million pounds in essential investment, replacing lock gates, additional storage facilities and the purchase of new crane capacity. Owing to a steady decline in trade. The crane purchased was transferred to ABP Newport June 2022. Replacement reduced capacity cranage has been procured resulting in Garston no longer providing any inhouse heavy lift capacity for port users. Land ABP deemed non essential to port operations has been sold for a housing development which now borders a large section of the port estate. Various commercial tenants have also vacated the estate in recent years relocating elsewhere within the region.