PD Ports Reaches Major Milestone at Teesport and Progresses with Major Expansion Works

News Release PD Ports, Harbour Office Tees Dock (Port Operations Centre) January 7, 2011

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LONDON, 5 January 2010 – PD Ports has announced it
has reached another major milestone at Teesport – handling its 150,000 container
through its container terminals for the first time in history within a calendar
year.
 
Frans Calje, PD Ports MD Unitised, said: “To have reached this record
number from a steady throughput of around 80,000 containers only some two and a
half years ago is a testimony to the success of our portcentric logistics
strategy and the hard work that went into making it a success. This is without
doubt a highlight we can be very proud of at PD Ports.”
 
This latest achievement surpasses 2009’s container handling milestone
at Teesport, where over 100,000 containers were handled in a calendar
year.  As a result Teesport has reported a year on year growth
in excess of 45 percent at the port’s container terminals. Mr Calje is confident
these results will continue to climb in 2011 as Teesport continues with its
container handling expansion plans, positioning the port as one of the UK ’s
major container hubs.
 
“As we progress into the New Year, we will start to see work commence
on the first phase of expansion plans. This work, which will potentially involve
some £29M of total investment, signifies a long term commitment to our unitised
business, on the back of major growth opportunities.  This
will further improve performance and productivity for the port’s growing number
of customers,” added Calje.
 
This is the first phase of expanding Teesport’s container terminal
capacity to 450,000 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit), from its current capacity
of 235,000 TEU – an investment of over £15M.  Subsequent
phases will be investigated subject to volume growth and market stability. The
port’s overall strategy is to expand port wide capacity, including RoRo traffic,
to at least 650,000 TEU, which will position Teesport as a major player in the
container market.  
 
PD Ports’ recent growth in container volumes at its Teesport
container terminals coincides with the highly successful portcentric logistics
strategy adopted by the port in recent years.  The success of
portcentric logistics at Teesport has attracted leading retailers Asda and
Tesco, as well as Taylors of Harrogate and the port owners remain focussed on
developing the platform to attract more businesses and economic activities
across the region in 2011.
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