PD looks to future with India deal

Oct 10 2008 Evening Gazette

PD Ports has signed a deal with a Mumbai shipping agent in the latest stage of its campaign to bring millions of tonnes of freight to Tees Valley.

Faredeal Shipping Agencies Pvt Ltd will promote the port’s Northern Gateway deep sea container terminal in a country which moves 95% of its volume trade by sea.

The deal follows similar arrangements in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam - all seen as potential exporters of fast-moving consumer goods into the northern terminal, which has courted and won Tesco and Asda as part of its “portcentric logistics” plan to position the port as a retail distribution hub.

The sealing of the agreement took place during PD Ports’ recent launch party in Mumbai, which attracted more than 250 guests including shipping lines, freight forwarders and press.

PD Ports’ group commercial director Graham Wall - who is leading the charm offensive - said: “India is one of the global leaders in the shipping industry and a key player in the world economy.”

The Population Reference Bureau (PRB) predicts that by 2050 India’s population will have grown from 1.08bn to more than 1.63bn people - overtaking China, which is forecast to reach 1.44bn from its current 1.3bn.