LOGISTICS
“ Talking to companies like PD Ports , it ’ s clear that freeports will play a pivotal role in turbocharging local economies , creating thousands of new jobs and helping us build back better across the UK .”
- Boris Johnson
independent trading nation . “ Talking to companies like PD Ports , it ’ s clear that freeports will play a pivotal role in turbocharging local economies , creating thousands of new jobs and helping us build back better across the UK .”
There is no doubt about it : freeport status on Teesside has huge potential to strengthen the long-term future of the region , enabling new trade opportunities to be seized and manufacturing opportunities to be accelerated with international investors . By cementing the River Tees as the Northern Powerhouse ’ s leading gateway for international trade , freeport status will undoubtedly provide a major boost to the northern economy , delivering the government ’ s levelling-up agenda .
Mr Calje believes the region now has a “ once-in-a-lifetime opportunity ” and says PD Ports is committed to playing a “ fulsome role ”, alongside its partners , in the freeport ’ s successful delivery . Private investment and collaboration will be key to bringing long-term economic growth and jobs to Teesside , he says , boosting trade and exports .
The freeport development builds on PD Ports ’ track record of attracting more than £ 1bn of new investment to Teesside in the last 10 years and forms part of the major port groups ’ long-term vision .
Presenting the vision to the prime minister and chancellor , PD Ports ’ chief operating officer and vice chairman Jerry Hopkinson highlighted a number of other exciting developments that will see PD Ports help deliver a further £ 1bn of investment within the next five years alone .
These developments include the new £ 185m Northern Gateway Container Terminal that will triple Teesport ’ s container handling capacity to meet rising demand from customers eager to reduce their reliance on congested ports in the south .
As well as offering more resilient and reliable links to international markets , the new terminal will also help reduce the distance that cargo travels on UK roads , delivering significant reductions in CO2 emissions .
The visit by the PM and chancellor also included a meeting with PD Ports apprentices Emily Clark , Drew Reader , Charlie Caswell , Clark Reader , Bradley Jenkins and David Morgan .
PD Ports is home to the most ambitious apprenticeship programme in the UK ports industry with 152 current and former apprentices working across the business . As the UK ’ s number one port operator for supporting young people , PD Ports is planning to recruit a further
Visit - PM Boris Johnson at Teesport .
Pointing the way - Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak with PD Ports apprentice Emily Clark and CEO Frans Calje .
30 apprentices in the coming months and continues to intensify its efforts to help those most affected by the Covid-19 crisis .
Briefing the PM and chancellor about PD Ports ’ commitment to young people , Mr Calje also outlined details of Project Hope , the company ’ s new initiative to further increase the support available for young people from the wider business community and UK ports sector .
“ It has been a privilege to welcome the prime minister and the chancellor to Teesport ,” said Mr Calje . “ We are immensely grateful for the opportunity that the government has given us in awarding freeport status and look forward to continuing to work closely with the government to deliver the prosperity Teesside deserves . “ Freeport status will enable PD Ports to build on our successful track record of attracting new investment and creating new jobs across the region , with more people now employed by PD Ports than before the devastating closure of the SSI steel plant in 2015 .”
Speaking during the visit , the chancellor said : “ Our eight new freeports across England will unlock billions of pounds of private investment , generate trade and create thousands of jobs in communities like Tees Valley , giving people optimism and ambition for the future as we build back better from the pandemic .”
Watch this space !
The voice of business in the Tees region | 45