December 09, 2025 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- Stanlow Terminals Ltd (STL) has been awarded a £250,000 grant from the Liverpool City Region Freeport Innovation Challenge Fund to support a pre-FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) study for a pioneering CO₂ import terminal at Tranmere and Stanlow, within the Port of Liverpool. Delivered in partnership with Mersey Maritime, the fund aims to accelerate innovation and maritime decarbonisation across the region, with a strong focus on advancing sustainable port infrastructure.

The investment represents a major step in the region’s industrial decarbonisation strategy and directly contributes to the UK’s wider net zero objectives. The proposed terminal will form a vital component of future carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) infrastructure by enabling the import and handling of captured CO₂ from domestic and international sources via Non-Pipeline Transfer (NPT) methods, including water, road and rail. The importance of NPT has been highlighted by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s CCUS Vision, which recognises its role in expanding CCUS beyond pipeline clusters, supporting cross-border CO₂ storage, and enhancing resilience throughout the value chain. A public consultation on the development of NPT is expected in early 2026.

STL’s existing infrastructure, combined with direct access to the North West’s substantial CO₂ sequestration capacity, places the company in a strong position to develop one of Europe’s leading CO₂ receiving facilities. The pre-FEED study, due for completion by Q2 2026, will build on previous concept work to validate both technical and commercial feasibility and create a pathway towards FEED for a full-scale terminal. The project complements Stanlow Terminals’ wider strategy to modernise its infrastructure in support of Essar Energy Transition and the region’s decarbonisation commitments.

Michael Gaynon, CEO at Stanlow Terminals Ltd, welcomed the funding, noting that it will accelerate the development of a CO₂ import terminal that is essential to regional decarbonisation and to the UK’s net zero ambitions. He emphasised that the terminal’s location and infrastructure make it ideally positioned to serve as a major hub for carbon handling and storage.

Cllr Liam Robinson, Liverpool City Region Cabinet Member for Innovation, highlighted the role of innovation as a cornerstone of the region’s economic future. He noted that projects such as STL’s CO₂ terminal demonstrate how the Freeport can serve as a platform for emerging technologies ranging from clean shipping to digital logistics, helping to establish the region as a leader in tomorrow’s industries.

Ruth Wood, CEO at Mersey Maritime, praised the project, recognising its potential to make a significant contribution to the North West’s leadership in carbon capture and storage. She expressed confidence that the study would deliver positive outcomes aligned with the wider effort to develop cleaner and greener energy solutions.

Olivia Powis, CEO of the Carbon Capture and Storage Association (CCSA), commented that Stanlow Terminals’ work on a dedicated CO₂ NPT import terminal represents the type of infrastructure the UK needs to enable a truly nationwide CCUS industry. She stressed that NPT will be essential for connecting dispersed emitters, enabling cross-border CO₂ transport and strengthening resilience across the CCUS chain.

Phillip Hall, Port Director Mersey at Peel Ports Liverpool, added that Freeport investment is key to driving decarbonisation across the Liverpool City Region. He welcomed the milestone, reinforcing Stanlow Terminals’ position as a valued partner in advancing CO₂ capture, import and reduction at the Port of Liverpool.