PD Ports unveils second major rail service link boosting Teesport trade with Scotland

PD Ports has launched a second rail service to connect Teesport directly with Scotland.

This is set to open up more opportunities for global importers and exporters with the North of the UK.

Operated by DB Cargo, the new service will run five days a week from the quayside at Teesport to PD Stirling Terminal at Mossend, Glasgow.

The timings of the service operate in direct connection with the P&O Ferries service calling daily at Teesport from Zeebrugge and Rotterdam; providing a connection for shippers, shipping lines and forwarders looking for frequent and efficient routes to market.

Having launched the first Scottish rail connection from Teesport in August 2015, the Port now offers more direct daily connections to and from Scotland than any other port in the north of England, running 10 trains a week and carrying over 30 containers per journey.

Earlier this year, P&O Ferries increased its capacity on this service by 25 per cent in a response to market demand for Teesport as the ‘port of choice’ connecting shippers with Scotland.

Frans Calje, CEO at PD Ports, said: “Our second rail service to Scotland is a major milestone for Teesport and the wider Tees Valley. It symbolises the tremendous sense of confidence and trust global shippers have in the Port to deliver peace of mind, unlike other congested UK and European hub ports.

“Frequency and reliability is fundamental to the success of our customers’ existence. We have vessels arriving at Teesport from the Baltics every 30 hours and every 48 hours from Poland with direct rail connections from the quayside to Scotland twice a day, five days a week.

“This frequency breeds trust and confidence amongst shippers that they can transport their goods from Europe to Scotland within a 36 hour period, minimising cost and carbon emissions.”

Reportedly, Teesport is continuing to see considerable growth year-on-year in container handling, and saw an overall volume increase higher than any other UK port in 2017.

David Coppock, North East region director (Northern Powerhouse), Department for International Trade, concluded: “This new service is further proof of how significant and important Teesport is to the Tees Valley in expanding its global reach.

“PD Ports is providing further vital investment in the region by opening up frequent, efficient and flexible transport routes for international trade.”

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