LOGISTICS
RUNNING A TIGHT SHIP
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PD Ports lead the way in Tees regeneration
t is estimated that ports and port-dependant industries account for around 185,000 jobs nationwide , which is why as one of the largest employers in the Tees Valley and a business of national importance , Teesport continues to play a crucial role in both the local and national economy .
Contributing well in excess of £ 1.4bn to the UK economy in 2020 alone , Teesport was identified as a key piece of UK infrastructure in the earlier stages of the Covid-19 pandemic , and continued operating to ensure vital supplies such as food , construction materials and building supplies could reach their end destinations around the UK .
Under the guidance of CEO Frans Calje , the port continues to service vital supply chains nationwide and , during the peak of the pandemic , celebrated the arrival of the largest containership to visit Teesport , demonstrating how the port is intrinsically linked to the success of the wider Tees Valley as a gateway for global commerce .
The Adelheid-S , measuring 222.5m in length and 32.2m in width , berthed at Teesport in June after an 18-hour sailing from Antwerp , ready to discharge 852 containers full of cargo for onward distribution to wellknown retailers nationwide , highlighting the critical role that Teesport plays in the wider national supply chain , especially during such challenging times .
Fast-forward another two months and more positive news was emanating out of Teesport courtesy of the multi-million-pound Teesport Bulks Terminal – the latest in a string of investments by the port owners and operators , PD Ports , to ensure that the Tees Valley remains globally competitive .
The unveiling of the £ 9.2m bulks handling facility marked a significant milestone not only for the port but also for the region , signifying the revival of bulk handling following the collapse of the SSI Steelworks in 2015 .
Officially opened by Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Simon Clarke , the former minister for regional growth and local government , what used to be a steel export terminal has now been repurposed into a state-of-the-art facility for handling agribulk products such as grain , corn and soya .
Ever the voice of positivity , Frans Calje remains defiant in the face of adversity , and is confident that better times are indeed on the horizon for the Tees Valley ’ s industrial landscape , despite the global pandemic and particularly following the unveiling of
86 | Tees Business