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PD Ports to boost rail and water use
[ June 15, 2016 // Chris ]PD Ports is spearheading an initiative to promote greater use of rail and short-sea shipping to and from Teesport.
The Freight Management Partnership has been launched in collaboration with multi-national shipping companies, Network Rail, Highways Agency and the Road Haulage Association as well as Tees Valley Combined Authority.
The group has been set up as part of PD Ports’ wider group strategy for Teesport as the gateway for shippers serving northern markets as well as its potential to be a major catalyst in rebalancing the local economy, especially Teesside.
The inaugural meeting, which was held at PD Ports’ headquarters in Middlesbrough in early June, set out its objectives to identify transport priorities to and from Teesport – the UK’s fifth largest port by volume.
Reducing road-based freight transport would not only lower costs and congestion but also significantly cut CO2 emissions and speed up supply chain logistics.
PD POrts is working closely with the road haulage industry to develop a strong communication platform, minimise any delays on the roads around Teesport and encourage wider development of the sector, particularly relating to skills and training in the area.
Tesco and Asda have already located vast distribution centres at Teesport to make the most of its portcentric logistics and improve efficiencies. PD Ports chief executive, David Robinson, said: “Teesport has the potential to be a major catalyst in rebalancing the economy in the North of the UK, and in particular Teesside, as part of the Northern Powerhouse strategy.”
Meanwhile, on 15 June Teesport is handling one of the biggest wind farm installation vessels in the world, Pacific Orca, on its newly redeveloped £35 million quay. Measuring a massive 161m long and 49m wide, she will be berthed at Number One Quay for several weeks while being fitted with a pile gripper that has been constructed on site.
The 550m long quay which measures 14.5m deep has been significantly strengthened so can now take loads of 10 tonnes per square metre, therefore making it suitable for the mobilisation of wind farm installation vessels.