October 4th 1963, saw the official opening of Tees Dock which started operations with a team of around 25 dock workers, two cranes and a warehouse. Over the 50 years Tees Dock has been operating many developments have been made to improve and expand the services on offer.
Today the port employs 650 people and sees over 5,000 vessel calls each year, bringing millions of tonnes of container, ro-ro, steel and bulk cargoes over its quays. Due to the growth seen over the years, Teesport is now the second largest port in the North East and one of the UK’s best connected feeder ports.
During the official anniversary week, PD Ports played host to over 1,000 guests, including many of the region’s stakeholders, former and existing employees, and their families.
The five day programme included the port operator’s annual stakeholder day, a family fun day for employees, three evening dinners for former and existing, long serving employees as well as the delivery of two educational programmes.
Middlesbrough College baked a cake for the annual stakeholder event large enough to serve 300 people. This was cut on the day by Aadil Hassan, a 19 year old dock operations apprentice at Teesport, and one of PD Ports long serving employees Dave Baldam, civil and technical engineering manager.
The educational days saw pupils from two Redcar-based schools, Newcomen primary and Rye Hills secondary school, participate in activities supported and delivered by PD Ports as well as ASDA, Cleveland Potash, Kone Cranes and SSI. The programme of activities helped the students gain a better understanding of industry and what jobs are available to them.
David Robinson, PD Ports’ CEO, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the positive response we have received about the entire week’s activities. The celebrations have been filled with recollections of interesting tales from the last 50 years as well as new stories around the growth of our young people just starting their careers with PD Ports. Our people are at the heart of our success, so it is vital for the longevity of our business that we invest in their growth and development.
“Tees Dock and the wider Teesport estate is the core of our business. Since opening in 1963 our business has grown to become an international logistics hub handling goods from all over the world as well as one of the largest employers in the North East and a key economic driver for the region.”
The extraordinary journey the port has taken over the last 50 years has included changes in ownership, people, operations and procedures. Yet throughout, Tees Dock has remained a major asset to the local and national economies.
www.pdports.co.uk
