Edward Nicholson Ltd


In mid 2000 Quality Freight acquired Edward Nicholson Ltd., which has traded for over 120 years now. Based at Ellesmere Port on the Manchester Ship Canal, the site is just 100 meters from the M53, which connects to the extensive motorway network in the North West of England.

The Ellesmere Port facility handles in excess of 550,000 tonnes per annum and has control of over 300,000 sq. ft of covered warehousing on a 50-acre site. The company can cater for all the stevedoring, warehousing and distribution needs of most cargoes entering or leaving the Manchester Ship Canal or the surrounding area. Specialist equipment includes rail mounted grab cranes at 6 tonnes capacity. A 32 tonne Scotch Derrick, which is container fitted. 42 tonne and 25 tonne container fitted forklifts, which are also fitted with specialist coil carrying fittings.

In 2002 to enable further growth saw the provision of a 2002 built NCK, 65 tonne mobile crane and a refurbished 45 tonne Priestmann mobile crane. This investment allows speedier turn-around of ships and greater flexibility throughout the facility, this has been added to by a further 35 tonne NCK Mobile. Further quay strenghting and the building of a further 23,000 sq. ft. of warehousing has been authorised for completion in 2002, in addition to a second weigh-bridge, larger capacity hoppers and grabs and two new Front Loading Shovels.

700 Meters of working quay at North Wall and 300 meters of working quay at Manisty Wharf with capacity at North Wall to handle vessels up to 20,000 DWAT. Maximum advertised LOA is 171 meters at Eastham Lock, draft is 8.3 meters (fresh water). These can vary upwards by specific vessel characteristics.

Products handled to date include a wide range of bagged, palletised and bulk cargoes and a range of steel products. The facility can also handle lift on/off containers and has stuffing/de-stuffing facilities. Heavy lift /abnormal load specialists are employed.