FUTURE
YES , PRIME MINISTER !
PD Ports gives freeport backing during PM ’ s visit
Cheers - prime minister Boris Johnson and chancellor Rishi Sunak with PD Ports heads Jerry Hopkinson and Frans Calje .
PD Ports is one of the UK ’ s major port groups . Its main operation at Teesport , the fifth-largest port in the UK and the only major port in England to handle more exports than imports , supports 22,000 jobs and contributes £ 1.4bn to the UK economy every year . PD Ports is also statutory harbour authority for the River Tees .
Now the company is at the centre of the exciting freeport opportunity . Tees Business finds out more …
Y ou would have to have been hiding under a rock in recent weeks to have failed to hear all of the fantastic news happening across Teesside and the Tees Valley as our region shines in the wake of its renaissance .
These announcements build on Teesport ’ s long and proud history on the River Tees , attracting global investors , creating thousands of jobs and driving sustainable economic activity as the UK ’ s northern gateway for international trade .
As statutory harbour authority for the River Tees , staff at PD Ports were delighted to hear of all the exciting new developments taking shape , which will change the outlook for the Tees region for generations to come .
Ensuring the River Tees plays its full part in supporting the future growth of our region and the UK as a whole is central to PD Ports ’ vision to position the Tees as the UK ’ s number one port region by 2050 .
The company ’ s bold and ambitious plans struck a chord with prime minister Boris Johnson and the chancellor Rishi Sunak on their visit to Teesport when the chancellor held his only post-Budget event following the announcement of freeport status for Teesside just one day earlier .
During the visit , PD Ports CEO Frans Calje thanked the
The PM chats to PD Ports staff during his visit .
government for delivering an opportunity that could create up to 32,000 new jobs and add £ 2bn to the region ’ s economy . PD Ports worked tirelessly to support the Tees Valley mayor ’ s freeport bid , consulting with more than 100 businesses and organisations to develop plans that will maximise the benefits that a freeport can bring .
The prime minister said : “ It was great to be in Teesport , one of the fantastic locations for a new freeport , which will help the UK take full advantage of its global status as an
44 | Tees Business