Teesport’s strong association with manufacturing and processing industries can be traced to the 19th century, the time of the Infant Hercules and the birth of modern Middlesbrough. As the region embarked on rapid industrialisation, The Tees Navigation Company was created in 1808.
Later to be replaced by The Tees Conservancy Commissioners, they were tasked with regulating and improving the River Tees, as well as the construction of a dock at Stockton-on-Tees, which over time migrated to Middlesbrough. In 1850, large seams of ironstone were discovered in the Cleveland Hills, leading to the first blast furnaces being built along the River Tees. Less than 15 years later, Middlesbrough had become England’s biggest iron-producer, accounting for one-third of the nation’s output, and proudly earning the moniker ‘Ironopolis’.
Alongside shipbuilding the region became a world-leading centre of iron and steel production, with Tees shipments of pig iron reaching 1.75 million tons by 1907. The Tees Transporter Bridge was opened in 1911, standing as a symbol of innovation, engineering and the town’s meteoric rise. The following decades saw steel exported to all four corners of the globe, as development and reclamation work progressed port and river facilities further. Around the same time, the chemical industry was established at Billingham to produce synthetic ammonia.
Tees Dock officially opened in 1963, growing steadily over the following years and gradually consolidating smaller port operations upriver.
At this point, the port handled mainly steel and fertilisers from the likes of British Steel and ICI but by the mid 1960s it had become one of the UK’s first ports to offer container shipping services.
The construction of a new quay and terminal soon followed, enabling Cleveland Potash to export from Tees Dock – an operation that still exists today. New refineries were also built during the decade, operated by Shell and Phillips-Imperial Petroleum Limited. In 1966, The Tees Conservancy Commissioners became the Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority (THPA), ushering in a new phase of development and investment.
The 1970s was a period of economic change in the UK, a fact reflected in the mix of cargos handled at Tees Dock. This included imported cars from Japan, vibrant trade between the North of England and Africa, and a huge uplift in trailer traffic from Europe.
By the 1980s the UK’s industrial landscape was changing forever. With the demise of heavy industry, the fortunes of the local economy changed too. Tees Dock was not exempt from this and began to handle an increasing volume of imports. This saw an increase in liner services to emerging economies such as India, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq and China. Coupled with sustained growth in African trades, Tees Dock continued to be a vital arterial route for local and national economies.
In 1992, THPA was brought under private ownership when it was acquired by three joint buyers: Powell Duffryn Plc, 3i and Humberside Holdings Limited. Within three years Powell Duffryn Plc (Ports & Engineering Group) gained 100% of the business, soon after becoming formally known as PD Ports.
Following a series of investments and buy-outs, Brookfield Asset Management Inc took ownership of PD Ports in November 2009. The Canadian based company has approximately $925 billion in assets, and is supported by a 120-year history of operating businesses across renewable power, infrastructure, real estate and private equity.
As we look ahead to the future, we are on a mission to be the UK’s leading port group. Driving forward new levels of safety, sustainability and innovation. Alongside playing a critical role in ensuring the UK remains competitive in global trade, we are fundamental in the delivery of national priorities centred around high value trade, high quality jobs, energy security, thriving communities and the journey to net zero. With that comes ambitious growth plans, as well as a duty to build a better, more prosperous future.
22nd July 2024
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