UK box port set to expand

Teesport has announced an expansion of its container facility from its current capacity of 235,000 teu to 450,000 teu. However, this first phase could be scaled up to almost double the present investment of £15m.

Frans Calje, PD Ports’ managing director, unitised, explained: “Subsequent phases will be investigated subject to volume growth and market stability with the total project potentially involving some £29m. The port’s overall strategy is to expand port wide capacity, including ro-ro traffic, to at least 650,000 teu, which will position Teesport as a major player in the container market.”

The first phase, which is expected to commence in November and last approximately 10 months, will focus on the reconfiguring of the existing container terminal layout, including all associated civil works and installation of new rubber tyre gantry cranes. This will be supported by the implementation of a sophisticated terminal management system.

Once fully complete, it is estimated some 50 new jobs will be created within the terminal together with a further 200 new jobs to support the overall supply chain. This will complement the 1,300 jobs that have been directly created over the past five years as a result of portcentric logistics operations in and around the port.

Mr Calje also noted that the facility handled 129,000 teu in the first half of the year – a growth of over 62% in volume compared with the first six months of 2009.

The port said this expansion project is an important component of its business’ strategy to diversify its service offering into new markets, including portcentric logistics and renewable power.

PD Ports also pointed out that Teesport’s recent growth coincides with its portcentric logistics strategy, which has attracted large retailers such as Asda and Tesco, as well as Taylors of Harrogate.
(Source:www.portstrategy.com)