In 2023 we tackled the headwinds we currently face head on by investing in our infrastructure and our people. As one of the UK’s Major Port Groups we have a critical role in ensuring the UK remains competitive in global trade, especially in challenging times.
As a key northern gateway for international trade, we welcomed new customers and strengthened relationships with our existing customers, delivering quality service, fast turnaround times and reduced onward road mileage and CO2 emissions.
This year has seen the development of the Port of Hartlepool as a hub for steel and the renewable energy sector, including the regeneration of a building previously used by the oil and gas industry into a dedicated steel terminal.
In Howden, a £300,000 investment in automated bagging plant has opened up new diversification opportunities for importers and wholesalers of animal feed.
We have made investments in new infrastructure, including £8.6m in two electric-hydraulic cranes at Tees Dock, supported by the purchase of a number of electric vehicles and a conversion programme for existing machinery to be converted to electric power or an alternative fuel source.
We aim to be the UK’s most sustainable port operator and are on our way to achieving carbon neutral status across our Tees-based landside operations by 2027.
We have also invested in the safety of our employees. A £400,000 investment in a crane training simulator, allowing us to extend the training of our current crane drivers, while preparing the next generation, in a completely safe environment.
In Felixstowe we embraced drone technology in our warehouse to improve stock counting and increase worker safety by eliminating the need for working at heights.
As the largest private employer on Teesside, and a key driver of external investment to the region, we see our role as a cheerleader for the Tees a key player in the push to help our young people achieve their very best.
As part of our Teesport Explorers programme for primary aged children, we were delighted to welcome a group of students from five Tees Valley schools to visit Tees Dock and meet a number of the people who work across the site in a variety of roles.
Our people are at the heart of PD Ports, we are dedicated to our colleagues across the business, helping them to develop their skills and career path, with all the positive knock on impacts that has for our local communities and economies.
In September we launched our 2023-2025 diversity and inclusion strategy supported by pledges from senior leadership outlining our commitment to the equality and empowerment of our employees.
Although we see no short-term let-up in the challenging economic conditions in which we are operating, we retain a positive outlook. The strength of our relationships and the firm foundations we have built with strategic investment mean we are well placed to continue to grow and push forward by attracting new connections and external investment into the Tees.
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