Feature, Freight News, Sea

Freeports would free up Tees potential

[ July 8, 2020   //   Chris ]

PD Ports underlined the huge investment and jobs boost that a freeport on the River Tees could deliver for the local and regional economy, in its response to the Government’s consultation on 8 July.  

It said that an innovative and ambitious scheme could enable the whole Tees Valley to further capitalise on its strengths as a leading chemicals and manufacturing centre, increasing the potential for additional inward investment and creating thousands more jobs.

PD Ports chief operating officer and vice chairman, Jerry Hopkinson (pictured), said: “PD Ports is a longstanding supporter of Freeports and we were delighted to welcome [ministers] to announce their plans last year. Both ourselves and the Tees Valley Combined Authority have highlighted the transformative potential that Freeport status offers and we’ve worked hard to see how we can bring that potential to reality

“As the custodians of the River Tees, we share the ambition of both Local and National Government our partners across the region and, most importantly our fellow citizens in the Tees Valley to work together to use Freeport status to win new investment, drive regeneration and create thousands of jobs here on Teesside.

“The River Tees is one of our region’s, and indeed the North of the UK’s, greatest assets, able to handle amongst the largest vessels in the world, offering state-of-the-art port facilities and infrastructure, and thousands of acres of strategically located development land. 

“Combined with the region’s leading research and technological capabilities, its highly skilled workforce and proud manufacturing traditions, there is, literally, nowhere else in the UK better equipped to make freeports a success and there are few places where the chance to secure regeneration would be more welcomed by its people.”

Tags: PD Ports