UK: Shipping Minister Tours Port of Tyne

The Port of Tyne welcomed Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond, for a tour of the site and operations on Monday.

The Port of Tyne has achieved record growth, cargo volumes, and profits for three years in succession and recorded the largest year on year growth to become the fastest growing UK port, according to recently published Department for Transport statistics.

Mr Hammond was keen to see first-hand the progress made at the Port and new developments taking shape.

Shipping Minister Stephen Hammond said: “The Ports and the maritime sector play a vital role in the UK economy which I want to promote. And the Port of Tyne has a key role in this both nationally and regionally.

“Today I saw for myself the impact the port is making, as well as their impressive plans for the future. I wish the team here every success with their plans and in building further on the port’s recent very strong performance.”

Andrew Moffat, Port of Tyne, Chief Executive Officer, said: “We have achieved excellent results, breaking our own records three years running, and we have done this through major investment in infrastructure to ensure we are able to meet our customers’ needs and increase productivity and efficiency. We also have to acknowledge the efforts of everybody at the Port who have embraced change and delivered these great results.

“Going forward we have ambitious plans to develop our business. We updated the Minister on our major development plans and outlined how we are putting in place the funding to ensure we are able to take advantage of the significant growth opportunities that lie ahead,” added Andrew, who is also Deputy Chair of the British Ports Association.

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Press Release, July 2, 2013