Teesside's port will see the arrival of a new roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping service from Japan, starting next month.

PD Ports is set to welcome global shipping line K-Line as the firm brings in the largest ships of their kind ever to arrive into Teesport.

The new route will use K-Line’s newly announced 7500-unit Ro-Ro vessels to transport cargo from the Port of Tokuyama-Kudamatsu, Japan, to the North-east.

The vessels, which are just under 200 metres long, will allow exporters of large, high value equipment and materials for major projects, to connect directly from Teesport with K-Line’s global network.

Frans Calje, PD Ports’ managing director Unitised and Portcentric Logistics, said: “We are pleased to announce the arrival of this new service to Teesport, which is already one of the largest and best connected ports in the UK.

“This additional service further strengthens PD Ports’ position as a leading player in the UK ports sector and highlights its flexibility and adaptability within a changing market.”

A K-Line spokesman said: “We are pleased to announce this new service to Teesport.

“The Port’s excellent infrastructure and its proximity to important North-east markets makes it the perfect choice for our business, and we are very much looking forward to working with PD Ports on this service.’’

Teesport is the UK’s 3rd largest port by volume, handling over 40 million tonnes each year.

Source: GazetteLive