SET FAIR FOR SUCCESS PD Ports confident of a strong 2023

PD Ports is one of the largest private employers in the Tees Valley and, as owner and operator of Teesport, a business of national significance.

During 2022, as with the majority of other industries, the maritime sector was affected by the economic headwinds in the UK, as well as the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine, Covid-19 pandemic and global supply chain disruption.

Despite this, Teesport remains a vital piece of national infrastructure, handling 27m tonnes of cargo in 2021 as the sixth largest port by volume in the UK.

In the past year, PD Ports was named Business of the Year at the prestigious Maritime UK Awards for demonstrating a real understanding of its target market while also showing impressive growth and sustainability across a number of factors, including job creation and national and international impact.

The port operator has continued to build on this success, receiving eight further industry awards in the time since, recognising achievements in areas including sustainability, safety, people development and innovation.

Teesport is not, however, just a critical gateway for international trade, says CEO Frans Calje - it also has an essential role in supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions.

“We have a responsibility to facilitate new renewable and green technologies,” said Frans, who was awarded an OBE in the late Queen’s last birthday honours for his services to international trade.

“In May, we strengthened the River Tees’ position as a global leader in offshore wind by entering a new long-term deal with Seajacks, a world-leader in offshore solutions, to bring their UK marine base to the Tees Valley. And in November, we followed this by securing a deal with Green

Lithium that will see Teesport become home to the UK’s first green lithium refinery.”

PD Ports’ enduring commitment to levelling up is also reflected in its ongoing support for young people and communities across the region. As the UK’s leading port operator for supporting young people, during 2022 the port operator maintained its industry-leading apprenticeship programme, welcoming 13 new apprentices into the business.

Frans continued: “It is fantastic to see our apprentices achieve recognition for their achievements and in September, I was delighted that Emily Clark, an apprentice civil engineer, received the ‘Best Newcomer’ Award at the Fifth Annual Tees Businesswomen Awards.

“It is also great to see so many apprentices and colleagues stay with the business as we continue to make PD Ports a great place to work.”

Another continuing focus for PD Ports is helping companies achieve more sustainable, efficient and resilient supply chains and, in the space of the last two months, it has already boosted its weekly vessel calls with two additional services.

The first, a brand new, dedicated service from Spain and Portugal into Teesport, is now running weekly as of the start of 2023, demonstrating the growing demand for global shippers to use Teesport as the gateway into the UK.

The second, announced in January, is an additional weekly sailing between Rotterdam, Botlek and Teesport, in collaboration with shipping line A2B-online.

The expansion of the service will increase sailings to four times per week and increase the total number of containers handled on the route to 40,000 per year, highlighting key opportunities for continued growth at the port.

Geoff Lippitt, chief commercial officer at PD Ports, said: “We’re delighted to be building on our relationships with both A2B-online and Ellerman City Liners to deliver these additional services into Teesport.

“The expansion of our roster means that we can now provide even more opportunities for shippers to import and export their goods to and from Europe while also taking advantage of our extensive service offering as a reliable trading partner.”

Throughout the course of 2023, the port operator remains wholly committed to continued promotion of the unique strengths of the River Tees and the wider region. And although it appears as though economic headwinds will continue during the year ahead, Frans is confident that PD Ports is forecast for a strong 2023.

“We will continue to work hard to drive growth and seize new opportunities. Our uncompromising ambition is that PD Ports remains a catalyst for a stronger economy, a more sustainable future, and a thriving Tees Valley.”