This Is Tees Valley This Is Tees Valley - Issue 1 2020 | Seite 42

Guardians
of the
River Tees
PD Ports plays
crucial role
in North-East
economy
42
B
ased in the North-East of England
but operating across the UK,
PD Ports is one of the UK’s major
ports groups.
Central to the group’s operations is
Teesport, one of the country’s most
progressive and vibrant ports and a
significant piece of national infrastructure.
The port plays a vital role in the wider
maritime sector, which sits at the heart of
Britain’s trading success and is a key enabler
for manufacturers and suppliers to trade
with international markets.
As one of the largest employers in the
Tees Valley and a key driver in the economic
growth and development of the Northern
Powerhouse, PD Ports’ operations span the
length and breadth of the country.
In the North-East, the port operator’s
facilities include the Port of Hartlepool,
which specialises in the offshore sector.
PD Ports also owns a number of short sea
ports situated in the Humber region as well
as operations in Felixstowe and the Isle Of
Wight. This is backed by a comprehensive
logistics operation.
The port operator’s role on the River
Tees extends far beyond the commercial
operations of Teesport and Hartlepool.
As statutory harbour authority since the
turn of the 20th century, PD Ports is the
legal guardian of the River Tees, which
brings a significant role in ensuring the
safe navigation of all vessels that travel the
14-mile stretch within the port operator’s
jurisdiction.
Over the last decade, Teesport has
attracted more than £1bn of direct and third-
party investment to the Tees Valley, through
direct and third party investment, creating