 In 1954, as part of their development of their Ravenscraig steelworks, near Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Colvilles Ltd and British Railways began installing new wharfage and facilities at General Terminus Quay.This was to allow the simultaneously unloading of two large ships carrying bulk iron ore.The ships were designed to hold 12,000 tons (12,200 metric tonnes) of iron ore.

Iron ore was to be transported, in bulk, by railway, from the River Clyde to the Lanarkshire steel works at, Motherwell.