Just one year after it was completed in September 2007, Liverpool Council asked the Government for permission to use the terminal for turnaround calls.
The Labour government refused this request in December 2009 after confirming it would result in unfair competition and state aid issues.
However, following the General Election last year, Liverpool Council repeated its request to the new coalition Government.
Shipping minister Mike Penning has told Liverpool he is happy to start looking at the issue.
He said: “There are still some technical issues to be dealt with, but Liverpool’s submission to me is grounds to go ahead and consult with other parties. Then I will make a decision.
“The city council is proposing to pay back a percentage of the state aid it received for the terminal, which is what I said would be necessary when I came to Liverpool.”
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said no decision had yet been taken.
He added: “We have received documents from Liverpool and are in discussions with them, but as yet there has been no decision on a consultation.
“An announcement will be made in due course.”
