PD Ports takes its responsibilities towards the environment and sustainable development very seriously. The Conservancy and Harbour Master offices of PD Ports, Teesport are extremely proactive in all their discussions with stakeholders relating to the marine environment and actively seek to incorporate the principles of environmental risk assessment into the Port's daily activities and operations.

PD Ports Environmental Policy Statement

PD Ports, Teesport liaises on a regular basis with a variety of environmental groups. In particular consulting Natural England, formerly English Nature about our dredging policy & processes and all issues of an environmental concern relating to the use & maintenance of the river.

PD Ports, Teesport has worked with Natural England to meet the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive through the process of “Appropriate Assessment” of the dredging operations. As a result PD Ports, Teesport has now created the Tees Maintenance Dredging Baseline Document which addresses the processes involved in the dredging and disposal of 1.35 million cubic metres of material per annum. This assists PD Ports, Teesport to manage the dredging in an environmentally friendly manner. PD Ports, Teesport believes it is the first port to develop this process following UK development trials at three other ports.

Applications for a variety of small capital dredging projects have been submitted recently to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and involve consultation with Natural England, Environment Agency and RSPB. The proposals have been supported by applications for beneficial use of dredge material, for example to replenish North Tees Mud Flats and rebuild bird islands near South Gare. North Tees Mud Flats are a Site of Specific Scientific Interest and are currently being monitored by the Environment Agency with sponsorship from PD Ports, Teesport; the bird islands are being rebuilt to provide a safe environment for little terns.

As a licence applicant and licence issuer for dredging consent, PD Ports, Teesport maintains a close and beneficial working relationship with the Marine Consents Environmental Unit (MCEU). The MCEU is part of DEFRA and coordinates the licensing processes for disposal of materials at sea and in-river construction licensing. Other parties also involved in the ports' work have been the Environment Agency and Industry and Nature Conservation Association (INCA), an important local association that coordinates the activities of industrial and nature conservation organisations. PD Ports, Teesport is proud to be a sponsor of INCA. Our Harbour Master, Captain Jerry Drewitt, regularly attends INCA board meetings to help maintain excellent liaison between all river users and all relevant environmental groups, such as RSPB and Cleveland Wildlife Trust.

On a smaller scale PD Ports, Teesport sponsors “The Friends of Errington Woods” near Marske, an area overlooking Tees Bay. This voluntary group work hard to improve public awareness of Errington Woods and actively engages in proactive forestry maintenance.

PD Ports, Teesport also co-sponsors the Teesmouth Industry Wildlife Partnership. The group has been active in creating paths for public access to important areas of wildlife habitat on the North side of the Tees around Seal Sands.