Coast link boosts Port
PD Ports has launched a coastal feeder service from Felixstowe to Teesport as part of its campaign to put the Northern Gateway Project on the international shipping map.
Logical Link will run two sailings a week, bringing up to 2,500 containers a year to Teesside - a drop in the ocean compared to 100,000 contains passing through the port annually, but a significant psychological move.
Martyn Pellew, group development director at PD Ports, said: “It’s the first time we’ve introduced such a service since we were given the go-ahead for the Northern Gateway. Around 50 containers a week will be brought into Teesport. It’s not massive numbers - our ro-ro service at Teesport handles around 100,000 containers a year - but it’s an important step.”
Soon-to-be released figures are likely to show the port has taken a hit of around 10% on volumes this year, making any move to build awareness of the deep sea terminal - due to open in 2012 - key.
PD Ports said it would further develop the shortsea/coastal traffic through Teesport as it seeks investment for the Northern Gateway plans.
It said the Logical Link service will reduce operational costs and environmental impact for customers. It strengthens Teesport’s portcentric logistics offering, which enables cargo to be stored closer to its final destination with access to northern road and rail links.
Supermarket giants Tesco and Asda have already bought into the idea. Asda calculates its 2005 decision to develop a 360,000sq ft import centre at Teesport has reduced its road travel by over two million miles a year. Tesco is building a 1.2 million sq ft import centre at Teesport, with operations due to commence this summer.
Logical Link uses cargo space booked on carriers operated by third parties. The port said it would look to introduce a return service some time in the future.
