PD Ports has officially opened a new multi-million-pound Marine facility on the banks of the River Tees.
The purpose-built facility at Cargo Fleet Wharf, within Teesport Commerce Park, in Middlesbrough, provides a permanent base for the teams responsible for maintaining the safe operation of the River Tees and Port of Hartlepool under PD Ports’ responsibilities as Statutory Harbor Authority.
The three storey facility brings Marine operations and Marine engineering together in one modern location, replacing ageing facilities at Vulcan Street which dated back to the 1960s.
It includes a specialist vessel maintenance workshop which, for the first time, allows smaller Marine vessels to be lifted from the river on to the quay and moved inside for maintenance and repair, creating safer and more efficient working conditions for the company’s specialist marine engineers who maintain the fleet.
The new base also represents another step in PD Ports’ continued investment in its marine capability. The company has made significant investment in its fleet, including £23m in the Emerald Duchess.
From dredging and hydrographic surveying to maintaining navigational aids and providing oil spill response capability, PD Ports’ Marine team works every day to keep channels open and vessels moving safely, supporting businesses and industries across the Tees.
Chris Stocks, Marine Director at PD Ports, said: “Our job is ultimately about making sure the river works for everyone who relies on it."
“Every day our teams are surveying the river, maintaining navigational aids, dredging and maintaining our vessels, alongside providing the capability needed to respond to incidents. Much of that work naturally happens behind the scenes, but it is fundamental to keeping the Tees safe, open and operating efficiently.
“This facility puts us right at the heart of the river we serve and gives our people the environment and equipment they need to do that job effectively. It also gives us somewhere we can bring river users, customers and partners together and continue building on the strong relationships that make the Tees work."
PD Ports’ Marine team manages the safe operation of the River Tees and Port of Hartlepool under the company’s Statutory Harbor Authority responsibilities.