PD Ports has announced an all-time record in container volumes handled at Teesport.
This new record comes at a time when the Department for International Trade published its annual maritime statistics confirming Teesport, one of the deepest water ports on the east coast of England, experienced an overall volume increase higher than any other UK port in 2017.
A significant driver in this reported growth is the increasing number of containers and trailers shipped from the continent to Teesport with 54,400 TEU (Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit) handled in October, the highest on record, following an exceptional five-week period in September.
At a time of the year in which ports usually see a reduction in volumes ahead of the Christmas peak, Teesport experienced its busiest month to date.
The growth in this sector has been supported by additional vessels now calling at Teesport from shipping lines A2B-online, Containerships and Unifeeder providing increased frequency and further connections to Botlek and Dunkerque, an uplift in ferry volumes and exceptional performance at its intermodal rail terminal have been instrumental in driving further growth in this key sector.
Significant investment in a fifth ship-to-shore crane and three RTG (Rubber Tyre Gantry) cranes in the last two years has been fundamental to the Port’s ability to be able to support the growth in volumes at the container terminal.
Over £1billion of investment has been attracted and secured by both PD Ports and third parties over the last 10 years to underpin growth and development positioning Teesport as the UK’s northern gateway for international trade.
Frans Calje, PD Ports’ CEO, commented on the record four-week period: “These results of huge significance not just for Teesport but the wider Tees Valley region. It represents the immense confidence and trust global shippers have in the Port to deliver peace of mind with flexibility and efficiency unlike other congested UK and European hub ports.
“Teesport is at the centre of a nationally important logistics hub to support international trade moving goods in and out of the UK. Our strategy to support our customers and government plans to move more road freight by rail has also seen a surge in demand for our quayside rail terminal with destinations across the UK.”
PD Ports is celebrating the fourth anniversary of Teesport Intermodal Rail Terminal, which has cemented the port and the wider Tees Valley region as a truly global gateway to the UK since opening on the 15th November 2014.
Seeing considerable growth in containers year-on-year, PD Ports launched the £3M Teesport Intermodal Rail Terminal with services to Felixstowe and Southampton, expanding the Port’s hinterland.
Four years on, using rail to move goods around the county continues to be important in order to help alleviate the over-burdened UK road network and chronic HGV driver shortage whilst helping customers reduce carbon emissions and cut costs in their supply chains.
Demand for rail has grown and to support this PD Ports has added two Scottish services at Teesport, the latest arriving at the Port in the last month following overwhelming popularity of the first. This second service opens up further opportunities to connect importers and exporters with the north of the UK.
Frans Calje, PD Ports’ Chief Executive Officer, commented: “In 2014, we made a bold move in launching a rail freight terminal at Teesport. With an increasing need for intermodal transport in the UK, the rail terminal has grown in popularity and we’ve invested our time into establishing further connections to support our customers’ supply chains.
“Now we are the leading rail hub in the north for European and global exporters and importers trading with the north, providing frequent, reliable and cost-effective rail links direct from Teesport.
“The introduction of our second rail service to Scotland this year is a major milestone for Teesport and the wider Tees Valley and it symbolises the tremendous sense of confidence and trust shippers have in the Port.
“As we continue our efforts to grow Teesport’s rail platform, we’re looking forward to seeing the progress Network Rail alongside Tees Valley Combined Authority make in creating easier access for rail freight towards the South concentrating on the gauge clearance issues currently faced between Eaglescliffe and Northallerton.”
VIPs from some of the world’s biggest offshore and energy firms have visited Tees Valley businesses to understand supply chain opportunities in the region.
The first day of Offshore Wind North East 2018 saw Tees Valley Combined Authority play host to more than 30 delegates from a range of companies. These included Brazilian multinational energy firm Petrobras, wind farm operators SSE, Norway’s Equinor, and Innogy, the event’s platinum sponsor.
The delegation was taken around the region’s key sites and firms, including logistics company AV Dawson, Lionweld Kennedy flooring engineers, Wilton Engineering, decommissioning services company Able UK, PD Ports, JDR Cables and offshore engineering firm Heerema.
The tour kicked off of a three-day event, organised by NOF Energy in conjunction with Energi Coast, North East England’s offshore wind industry cluster. More than 350 representatives then attended a conference with a focus on innovation within wind farm development and operations and maintenance activities.
Mayor Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Combined Authority Chair, said: “Offshore wind is one of the industrial sectors where the UK still dominates globally. Thanks to some fantastic local businesses, production costs have plummeted to the point where it’s even cheaper for new gas and nuclear power.
With a further 4GW of offshore wind output planned by 2024, I’m working with our local industry to ensure our economy feels the entire benefit of the wind revolution.
“The Tees Valley has one of the most complete supply chains for offshore wind in the UK. Our combination of port and deep water assets, availability of skilled workers, and proximity to some of the largest wind projects in the world makes our region the perfect location to invest. From Dogger Bank to Triton Knoll, local businesses are winning major contracts to energise the offshore wind revolution, but we need to go even further.
“This event has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we have to offer to companies not just from the UK, but from around the world. Our brilliant supply chain have been making the case for the Tees Valley, and I thank them for it.”
Joanne Leng MBE, Deputy Chief Executive at NOF Energy, said: “North East England, including Tees Valley, has a very dynamic and innovative cluster of companies that has carved itself a strong position in the offshore wind industry.
“Offshore Wind North East is a great opportunity to reinforce the capabilities of the area’s diverse supply chain and highlight to VIP visitors from across the world the current and future role of North East companies in the development and operation of offshore wind farms.”
Long lost streets are to be brought back to life thanks to an initiative by Middlesbrough’s William Lane Foundry, which dates back to 1862 and the area’s Victorian heyday.
Staff at the historic foundry have commenced the casting and sale of street signs commemorating the area’s lost streets as part of the firm’s latest history-inspired initiative.
The new street signs will be cast at the company’s Forty Foot Road-based facility using traditional production techniques.
Early signs that have already proven popular have included those commemorating the Cannon Street and St Hilda’s areas of Middlesbrough, whilst the Foundry have also received orders for signs for lost streets from across the region.
The production of the street signs will also see the Foundry team up once again with historian Dr Tosh Warwick, who will be researching memories and gathering stories of the old streets that will feature on the firm’s website and social media.
The production of the street signs is the latest in a number of heritage activities the Foundry has undertaken in recent years.
Earlier this year the firm cast a new plaque commemorating the booking of the first passenger on the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825, with the original – unveiled during centenary celebrations in 1925 – having been damaged.
Other collaborations have included the casting of blue plaques for the Heritage Lottery Fund Tees Transporter Bridge Visitor Experience, production of components for vintage railways, and the manufacture of a replacement war memorial at All Saints’ Church in Middlesbrough.
The Foundry also starred on the small screen on BBC’s Great British Railway Journeys with presenter Michael Portillo casting a component for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway during his visit in 2015.
Stuart Duffy, a director and stalwart of William Lane Foundry since 1977 said: “William Lane Foundry has a proud history and we are always looking at new ways to celebrate the area’s heritage.
The idea to produce the signs arose from suggestions by members of local and national heritage groups such as the popular Facebook page ‘Memories of Middlesbrough’ and transport enthusiast societies.
Made using traditional casting techniques, these heritage signs will provide a unique souvenir from Middlesbrough’s last surviving foundry all whilst supporting a local business at the heart of the area’s history.
Historian Dr Tosh Warwick added: “Street signs evoke a lot of meaning and memories associated with everyday life in these long-lost communities.
We see street signs displayed in museums and visitor attractions and even in pubs as symbols of a bygone era and a link to a whole community and way of life.
Although the streets have gone, the signs cast at William Lane Foundry offer members of the public a chance to reminisce and own a bit of history.
Hopefully the street signs will help rekindle and encourage the sharing of memories and stories attached to the old streets and towns that have not been recorded so far”.
Orders for the street signs – cast from aluminium and starting at £48 – as well as information on other products, can be found at www.williamlanefoundry.uk, by emailing info@williamlanefoundry.uk or contacting 01642 242871.
A timber window and door specialist is pleased to announce that they are now officially the only preferred supplier of Aluwood, aluminium and timber hybrid products for the north east of England.
This news forms part of the organisation’s robust growth plans and ambitious targets, following a successful company rebrand last year.
ERW Ltd, based in Middlesbrough, has manufactured and installed bespoke timber windows and doors since 1979. The team has consistently produced premium quality products for almost 40 years; ensuring they continue to meet the needs of customers and say the key to this success is the importance of offering a fully comprehensive range of timber windows, doors and conservatories.
As the company gets ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, this partnership marks another exciting milestone. It is also recognition of the fact that they are at the forefront in supplying high specification, innovative products to its customers.
AluWood is one of the UK’s leaders in the design and manufacturing of aluminium clad timber windows and doors and was one of the first to bring composite windows to the market. The highly competitive system offers the perfect union of timber and aluminium with market-leading performance.
Phillip Wall, Commercial Manager, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be announced as the approved supply partner for the region.
“We’re a local, family run firm, producing high performance, factory-finished products from our workshop in Middlesbrough and this is a credit to our craftsmanship and skilled workforce.
“This endorsement will support our growth plans across the region and our commitment to offer innovative products to a very high standard”.
AluWood windows and doors combine the warmth and visual appeal of natural timber inside with the strength, resilience and low maintenance of aluminium outside.
“Currently around 95% of composite windows and doors installed in the UK are imported – together we can help to rebalance that. Our range of composite windows and doors are manufactured in Britain and are designed to withstand the severest weather, even being installed as far up as the Shetland Isles.” added Phillip.
As well as supplying homeowners with handcrafted timber windows and doors, ERW also specialises in the restoration of heritage buildings, with recent projects including the world renowned Grade 1 listed Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland and the Georgian Theatre in Stockton.
2018 is set to be a record-breaking year for ERW following the company’s rebrand, which has evoked a new lease of life within the organisation. The firm has continuously expanded its workforce throughout the year to meet its acceleration in growth and is set to surpass all previous sales figures.
PD Ports has launched a second rail service connecting Teesport direct with Scotland opening up further opportunities to connect global importers and exporters with the north of the UK.
The new service, operated by DB Cargo, will run five days a week from the quayside at Teesport to PD Stirling Terminal at Mossend in Glasgow. The timings of the service operate in direct connection with the P&O Ferries service calling daily at Teesport from Zeebrugge and Rotterdam; providing a vital connection for shippers, shipping lines and forwarders looking for frequent, flexible and efficient routes to market.
Having launched the first Scottish rail connection from Teesport in August 2015, the Port now offers more direct daily connections to and from Scotland than any other port in the north of England, running 10 trains a week and carrying over 30 containers per journey each way laden with a variety of goods including food, drinks and furniture.
A substantial proportion of containers travelling on this service will be volume from the daily P&O Ferries service from Zeebrugge. Earlier this year P&O Ferries increased its capacity on this service by 25% in a response to market demand for Teesport as the port of choice to connect shippers with Scotland.
Frans Calje, CEO at PD Ports, said: “Our second rail service to Scotland is a major milestone for Teesport and the wider Tees Valley. It symbolises the tremendous sense of confidence and trust global shippers have in the Port to deliver peace of mind, unlike other congested UK and European hub ports.
“Frequency and reliability is fundamental to the success of our customers’ existence. We have vessels arriving at Teesport from the Baltics every 30 hours and every 48 hours from Poland with direct rail connections from the quayside to Scotland twice a day, five days a week.
“This frequency breeds trust and confidence amongst shippers that they can transport their goods from Europe to Scotland within a 36 hour period, minimising cost and carbon emissions.”
Janette Bell, Chief Executive at P&O Ferries, said: “Our customers will benefit greatly from the increased connectivity which this second rail link to Scotland will give Teesport. In tandem with our highly cost efficient 15 hour sailings to the continent, we can guarantee both exporters and importers an unrivalled service to and from northern Britain.”
Andrew Stirling, Managing Director at PD Stirling, commented: “This is excellent news for Scottish importers and exporters. It not only provides vital daily rail connections to and from the continent through Teesport, it also provides support to Scotland’s manufacturing base. This growth in rail transport with Teesport has led to firm plans to expand our facilities and to launch the MIRP (Mossend International Rail Freight Park).”
Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “Strong transport links are essential for a strong economy and this new service is fantastic news for PD Ports and the whole of Tees Valley.
“Teesport is one of the deepest water ports on the East Coast of England and its facilities connect our industries to the world. It’s already an attractive prospect and an invaluable resource which has been made even better by this announcement, especially in ensuring we’re an outward-looking, global region able to take advantage of all the opportunities of Brexit.”
David Coppock, North East Region Director Northern Powerhouse, Department for International Trade, said: “This new service is further proof of how significant and important Teesport is to the Tees Valley in expanding its global reach. PD Ports is providing further vital investment in the region by opening up frequent, efficient and flexible transport routes for international trade.”
The second service in to Scotland is a clear demonstration of PD Ports’ continued commitment to developing a truly multimodal logistics platform at Teesport with the ability to support future growth in international trade and the delivery of government plans to rebalance trade through the Northern Powerhouse.
Teesport continues to see considerable growth year-on-year in container handling and saw an overall volume increase higher than any other UK port in 2017.
Students and graduates seeking advice on job opportunities are invited to a careers fair at Teesside University.
The event will take place from 10.00am to 2.30pm on Friday 2 November 2018 in the University’s Olympia building.
Visitors will have the opportunity to speak to a host of potential employers and find out what careers, jobs, placement and study opportunities are on offer.
Organisations from a wide range of companies and industries will be in attendance, including GlaxoSmithKline, NHS Professionals, North Yorkshire Police, the Royal Air Force and Thirteen Group among many others.
All current higher education students and graduates of all universities are welcome to attend. Entry is free and there is no need to book.
The careers service at Teesside University offers an impartial service to help students choose their future career and gives advice on applications and interviews. Graduates are welcome to use the careers service for up to two years after they graduate.
For more information visit tees.ac.uk/careers.
A Middlesbrough based business start up has secured its future growth strategy, getting well prepared for when it expects to create at least another 10 jobs.
Mobibud is a real time business generation tool, that introduces a great new way of local micro and small businesses generating business between themselves.
The company’s app Biz-Buddy has been designed in Middlesbrough and it is being piloted in the Tees Valley. Wanting to plant further roots, the company has become the latest tenant to join the business community at Commerce House.
Mobibud is currently running a trial with the first 200 people who sign up to the pilot before the 17th October. They are asking local businesses to get involved, and give feedback – as a thank you each will get the first entire year for free!
The Mobibud team comprise of Andrew Cannings, Simon Williamson, Siobhan Henry and Stuart Davies. They are keen top promote local business with the app being initially promoted in the North East and North Yorkshire. He said:
“Our biz-buddy app is a perfect platform for businesses to interact, find other local businesses to partner with or use as a supplier and all in real time. Although the app has global scope, our heart is in Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley so our head office will always be here. Over the coming year, Mobibud will be targeting the whole of the UK, so it is a very exciting time in the company’s development.
“Ourselves are now a team of five, set to grow by at least another 10 if not more very quickly, therefore it was important to me to sign up to a tenancy that not only reflects the quality of our product, but that also accommodates our growth. Commerce House is just perfect for us. It is prestigious, smart, has all the facilities required and fits the Mobibud business model.”
Commerce House is a Grade II listed building in the heart of TS1 that has just had £1.2m poured into its redevelopment to create a high end business community. As well as office space, Commerce House offers board room facilities, a business lounge, meeting space, virtual tenancy and hot-desking, including co-workers arrangements.
Christine Huntington, facilities manager at the building, said:
“It is wonderful that we attract such high quality tenants as Mobibud. The Biz-Buddy app is an innovative idea that will support lots of local business and lead generation – two things that are also at the heart of the Commerce House Business Community!”
The biz-buddy app is due to go live mid November. The app will eventually be rolled out on a global scale, concentrating on individual localities.
More information is available at www.commerce-house.co.uk and www.mobibud.biz
Within a couple of weeks of welcoming its first tenant, Middlesbrough’s vibrant new business community, Albert North, is celebrating once again after another business committed its future to the area.
Keystage Recruitment, a leading supply teacher agency, has chosen Albert North as its new base.
The company, which works across the Tees Valley and County Durham, had been based in Yarm but began looking for a more central location after recognising excellent transport links and accessible parking were important factors for clients.
MD Julie Richardson said: “Before I set-up the business I worked for two different employers based on Albert Road and I’ve always considered it to be Middlesbrough’s commercial hub.
“Whilst some of the properties have been empty for a while, I was excited to discover the plans to regenerate the area as it was the perfect location we were looking for.
“I’m now back where I started my career all those years ago, I feel proud to be returning with my own business and I’m confident that this location will be great for us.
“I was impressed with what the Council and Jomast achieved on Baker and Bedford Street and Middlesbrough feels like an area that is on the up and progressing.”
Keystage Recruitment has relocated to 20 Albert Road, occupying the ground floor of the newly refurbished space.
Made up of a collection of eclectic buildings, Albert North will boast a number of modern studios and offices for small to large businesses, as well as food and drink outlets and city living apartments.
The revitalisation of this prime city centre location, complement’s the area and is being welcomed by many businesses who are looking for modern, flexible office space to meet their growing needs.
Earlier this month Albert North welcomed its first tenant Mabo Media, an award-winning PPC specialist.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Keystage Recruitment to Albert North,” said Mark Hill, Commercial Property Director at Jomast.
“They were looking to relocate to a central location with excellent public transport and well-served parking facilities and Albert North really ticked the box”
Our aim is to create one exciting business community so welcoming two new tenants to Albert North within the first month of its launch is testament to our vision for the area” added Mark.
Julie said: “We’ve been in business for over 15 years, we’ve built a great reputation over that time, have recently rebranded, moved to a more central location and we’re busier than ever.
“We also work closely with graduates offering them the opportunity to work as supply teachers in local secondary schools so the close proximity to Teesside University is an added bonus.
“Jomast have been great landlords; they’ve been on hand to answer any questions we had and I felt really supported throughout the moving process.”
The Albert North scheme includes a number of perks for businesses, including high-speed broadband, rent and rate incentives, free public health initiatives for all staff and a town centre loyalty card with exclusive discounts and incentives.
The multi-million-pound regeneration project is being driven by local property developers Jomast in partnership with Middlesbrough Council.
Anyone interested in leasing the units on Albert Road should contact Jomast directly on 01642 666 936.
The next Invest Middlesbrough Breakfast Exchange will once again take place in Middlesbrough’s newly refurbished Town Hall on Thursday, October 11.
The Town Hall recently reopened after the biggest makeover in its 129-year history and with the multi-million pound restoration now complete it’s the perfect venue for Middlesbrough Council’s Business Breakfast Exchange, which runs from 7.30am to 9am.
The free networking event provides businesses with an opportunity to meet up on a less formal basis, chat, share, learn more about Middlesbrough’s ambitious regeneration plans and do business.
This time we will be shining the spotlight on the ambitious Centre Square development which has taken a major step forward recently.
Developer Ashall Projects has agreed a deal with M+G to fund the first phase of the project to transform the area with Grade A office buildings, food and beverage outlets and enhanced public realm.
As a key part of Middlesbrough’s on-going transformation, Centre Square could create up to 1,500 jobs.
Come along and meet the developer, architect and construction company behind the scheme to discover how it was developed and the impact it could have on the area.
- Places can be booked online or contact event organisers The Creative Alchemist on 01642 224706.
