Teesport owner announces expansion plans after third global deal for new bulks terminal

The operator of a North East port has announced that it is accelerating its future expansion plans as it secures its third long-term deal.

PD Ports, which owns and operates Teesport, recently unveiled the Teesport Bulks Terminal, which is the result of a £9.2m investment.

Less than one year on after its opening, PD Ports is planning to extend the facility further, aiming to seize new trade opportunities and secure further long-term private investment.

The UK ports group signed a long-term contract with a third global customer to secure the remaining bays inside the 300,000 sq ft Teesport Bulks Terminal based on the port estate, with demand for the space growing.

Frans Calje, PD Ports’ CEO, commented: “It was catastrophic for the Tees Valley when the steelworks collapsed in 2015.

“Overnight we, as PD Ports, lost a third of our business and this region lost one of its major component parts.

“Now, thanks to much hard work and investment, as well as an ongoing journey of diversification, we are stronger and more resilient as a business.

“As a result we are underway with our biggest recruitment drive in the history of our business – employing more people now than before the closure of SSI.

“I am delighted to see the successful transformation of Teesport’s bulks handling infrastructure and service provision – which is underpinned by our growing customer base, which now includes three globally renowned partners, including Viterra.

“The fact that such established and world-leading businesses within the industry have selected PD Ports as their chosen logistics providers to move cargo through our new facility, further reinforces our proven track record of delivery, securing private investment in the Tees Valley region, driving the region’s economic value and creating new jobs.

“As we look ahead, we are confident that by continuing to build on the strengths the River Tees offers, utilising our newfound Freeport status to attract further investments and embrace new opportunities, we can achieve our vision of making the River Tees the UK’s most successful port region by 2050.”

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