A £22M investment project, which included the reconstruction of 305m of the quay to enhance and expand handling facilities at Teesport, has been successfully completed.
The infrastructure and reconstruction works carried out on the quay will ensure the Port can continue to handle modern cargo ships for the next generation. It will enable Teesport to accommodate fully laden panamax vessels carrying some 70,000 tonnes of cargo with loading ability at any level of tide.
The 12-month project, which is part of PD Ports’ wider growth plans, was undertaken by McLaughlin & Harvey and supported by consultants Royal Haskoning DHV and Turner & Townsend. Approximately 100 people were employed during the project.
30 permanent full time jobs will be created by PD Ports in its port handling operations as a result of the overall development, of which 21 are already in place.
The next phase of the reconstruction and upgrade project is due to commence in July and over a seven-month period an additional 245m of quay will be upgraded, providing further capacity at the Port.
David Robinson, PD Ports’ Group CEO, commented on this significant achievement: 'Investment and innovation are vital to the long-term sustainability of our business at Teesport. We need to ensure we can plan for, and respond to, the demands of our existing and new customers, and consistently provide a platform that delivers first class service, now and over the long term.
We were pleased to have secured funding through the Regional Growth Fund to help deliver this project for which our application was supported by Tees Valley Unlimited. These works are an important addition to our wider growth plans at Teesport, which we are confident will help deliver long-term success for the Port, our customers and our stakeholders whilst helping to regenerate the Teesside region and create jobs.'
Photo Caption: Mark Pearson, Group Projects Director (Front row right) stands on the reconstructed quay with the team from PD Ports, McLaughlin & Harvey and Royal Haskoning DHV.