Serving the Teesside Business Community | 15
The imposing Teesport 3 ship-toshore cranes . Centre is the latest £ 6m investment at the container terminal , designed to support the growth of the port ’ s container volumes , servicing UK consumers and markets .
Jerry Hopkinson , chief operating officer and vice-chairman at PD Ports .
Senior PD Ports officials recently hosted prime minister Theresa May and Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen at Teesport , where they discussed the potential opportunities for free port status in recognition of Teesport ’ s critical role in securing the region ’ s economic potential .
“ Teesport provides the perfect platform to launch these ventures , with both its infrastructure and skilled people perfectly placed to drive national export activity .”
As a nation , and certainly as a region , we aren ’ t just going to shut up shop on producing goods and services for export . We must be proactive in seeking new trade opportunities when we leave the EU .
Teesport provides the perfect platform to launch these ventures , with both its infrastructure and skilled people perfectly placed to drive national export activity .
In support of this endeavour , Rishi Sunak , MP for Richmond , has raised the concept of developing free port status in the region , essentially enabling raw materials and components to be imported , processed or manufactured and then exported as finished products exempt from taxes . Sunak ’ s idea has great merit and would help secure the UK ’ s first Free Trade Zone in the North-East , one which would strengthen Teesport ’ s position as a strategic asset and provide the freedom to boost overseas trade , as well as the potential to create more jobs in the region ’ s manufacturing sectors . It is an opportunity that we intend to vigorously pursue .
There will inevitably be challenges ahead for Teesport as Brexit will undoubtedly change the customs processes associated with trade flows . We have to be very careful that those processes are workable . The term ‘ frictionless borders ’ has often been coined of late . We need to collaboratively work towards achieving this – it ’ s in our local , regional and national interest .
We hope exporters across the UK will look to Teesport as the template to follow post- Brexit – but ports alone cannot reduce the UK ’ s trade deficit , which hit an eight-month high in August according to the Office for National Statistics .
As we look to our manufacturing industries to feed exports , there is a critical importance on transport infrastructure across the North-East and the country as a whole . It ’ s paramount that road and rail links in particular are fit for purpose to support the transit of goods around the country . Infrastructure is the backbone of a strong economy and efficient transportation links are central to this .
A significant amount of work has already been carried out to raise the agenda surrounding these issues with Transport for North , the Department for Transport and Network Rail . Critical transport infrastructure upgrades were subsequently highlighted as a key priority for business growth in the Tees Valley Combined Authority ’ s Strategic Economic Plan .
Looking ahead to a global outlook post- Brexit , ports are essential for a healthy export trade . Teesport is a prime example of a locality where world class infrastructure and a thriving manufacturing industry combine to create a strong local economy and the country ’ s only consistent net exporting region .
Brexit provides an opportunity for Teesport to operate across a wider global platform . And as a region , we are open for business !
1
According to PwC ’ s UK Economic Outlook report ( 2016 )