Sectors of our Ports and Maritime Consulting ~ Free Zones and Logistics
All of these concepts are fundamentally about trying to leverage the maximum economic activity out of a sea/airport's traffic base, by capturing more of the added value that relates to the supply chain and total logistics processes that goods undergo between manufacture and consumption. They are a particular challenge and opportunity for seaports with high container transhipment throughput.
You can download project information sheets for previous projects here. Also see Freeport Presentation from 1998.
The Mersey Partnership (TMP) commissioned Fisher Associates to carry out an audit of the physical assets in the ports, airport and distribution sectors that make up the SuperPort, and to identify the capabilities of the companies and other organisations that provide support services to it. We were also tasked to review the competitiveness of these.
This information was collated in a client database, which formed the main deliverable of this work. We also prepared a report with analysis of the competitiveness of the different assets and capabilities using criteria for strategic analysis (from the BCG Matrix and Porter's 5 Forces), based on the judgements of some 20 key stakeholder organisations gathered via a workshop session. (2010)
Port Cargo Demand Projections, North East Port, UKOn behalf of a private port company, and in connection with the preparation of a Port Masterplan, Fisher Associates was commissioned under subcontract to Entec to prepare a 15 year market scenario and 30 year outlook covering the following activities: (2008)
- Unitised traffic (containers, RoRo, trade cars).
- General cargo.
- Related logistics activity.
The terms of reference was based on the following activities:
- Literature review and desk research.
- Demand side analysis:
- Identify key demand drivers (linke with economic growth).
- Assess impact of exogenous factors (e.g. road pricing, shipping line strategies, technology impact).
- Prepare high level national / regional demand scenarios linked to 3 economic growth scenarios.
- Supply side analysis:
- Near continent developments and transhipment trends.
- UK port developments.
- Prepare relevant port traffic scenarios: Base / Low / High Case.
Fisher Associates was appointed by Halton Borough Council to assess future skills needs generated by 3MG (Mersey Multimodal Gateway). (2007)
This is a major new rail / road freight handling and logistics park at Ditton covering roughly 180 hectares. It will build upon the established assets of the location to create a sustainable 21st century freight park which is a flagship for the region and which will create up to 5,000 new jobs.
To support this, Halton Borough Council and its partners established a 3MG Skills Steering Group in order to understand the current and potential future skills needs of the logistics, warehousing and distribution, freight and haulage companies that will be inward investing into the site. Our brief was to
- Identify the current demand for skills from logistics sector related companies in Halton.
- Identify the likely future demand for skills by volume and vocational area from logistics companies locating on the 3MG site over the next 2 to 3 years.
- Make a quick audit of the provision / training available in Halton for Apprenticeships, Further Education and Train to Gain (from across the North West) and through specialist providers such as Logistics College North West, highlighting any gaps.
- Make recommendations of how these future employment opportunities can be made accessible to Halton’s long term unemployed adults resident in NRF areas.
Fisher Associates was commissioned by a one of the UK’s largest companies with substantial property and infrastructure interests to undertake a review of the potential for Free Zones in the context of airport development. The scope of work included (2007):
- Identify how Free Zones work in the UK and their European context.
- Identify any models for Free Zones at airports that could provide examples of how the concept could be applied.
- Identify how Free Zone operations at ports and airports could be linked to enhance the potential of sea-air cargo.
TMP working in partnership with Mersey Maritime and other members of a Steering Group, including Peel Group, convened to develop the concept of the Liverpool Superport. This foresees the development of Liverpool as a holistic logistics cluster integrating different modes into one City-regional competitive concept.
TMP commissioned Fisher Associates to research the concept and develop a strategy. The study commenced in March 2007, and was based on a combination of research from existing work and engagement with several leading businesses. The key tasks included:
Provide an evidence base:
- What are the key facilities and services?
- How does the Superport concept align with strategic trends in the logistics sectors?
- How does it align with policy?
Conceptualise and define Liverpool Superport in terms of what is it and what can it mean to whom?
Where and how can the concept impact on:
- Businesses
- The local and wider economy
Implementation strategy:
- Mission
- Objectives
- Core competencies
- Strategies
This was developed based on a review of logistics in the Liverpool City Region covering shipping services, ports, the airport, roads, rail, intermodal and distribution sites, and waterfront development. The strategy was formed on an analysis of the strategic environment, benchmarking against leading logistics clusters, and a review of key trends globally, and particularly in the global logistics and ports industries. (2007)
