European Metal Recycling (EMR), the UK’s largest ferrous scrap recycler, will transform Scotland’s King George V West Quay (Berth 10) in Glasgow with a “multi-million” pound development, according to a company announcement on June 28.
In collaboration with its development partners, Peel Ports (landlord) and McLaughlin & Harvey (property developer), EMR will convert King George V’s 8.5m deep quay into a deepsea dock capable of accepting bulk carriers up to 65,000 dead weight tonnage (dwt).
According to McLaughlin & Harvey’s website, the redevelopment will take 36 weeks at a cost of £6.5 ($9.0) million, which will involve the construction of a new metals handling facility, end of life vehicle facility, two weighbridges, and an acoustic screen.
EMR declared this will be the company’s “most innovative deep-sea dock in the UK, allowing the company to transfer material in the most…low carbon way possible”, which will be fully electrified with 100pc of its renewable electricity sourced from Scottish Power.
The new King George V West Quay is literally on the opposite bank of the River Clyde from EMR’s existing shortsea bulk export facility in South Street and adjacent to local competitor’s John R Adam’s own shortsea small bulk ferrous scrap operations.
One UK-based ferrous scrap trader commented that the development could create significant challenges for the local Scottish market participants, in competing with EMR on price and volume.
Longer term, the company says there is space on the site for a second phase expansion in the next few years, which may include developments in electric vehicle recycling and large-scale metal processing.