Teeside to build US$603 million container terminal

TEESIDE group PD Ports plans to build a GBP300 million (US$603.7 million) deep-sea container terminal at Teesport.

There have been no longer any objections, so the project directors hope to gain the green light to build from the government.

A report by the Teeside Evening Gazette said an objection from Hutchinson Ports, which owns Felixstowe and Harwich, would lead to a public inquiry for the Teesside project. But PD Ports said that Hutchinson's objections had been withdrawn and approval was expected in the next few months.

"PD Ports has held a series of discussions with Hutchison about its concerns regarding capacity in the rail network for the increase of rail freight resulting from the proposed Northern Gateway Container Terminal at Teesport," said David Robinson, chief executive of PD Ports.

"As a result of those discussions PD Ports has decided to address Hutchison's concerns directly by contributing to the provision of upgrades to the east coast main line and diversionary routes.

"Accordingly, Hutchison Ports (UK) has removed its objection to the application for a Harbour Revision Order made by PD Ports for its Northern Gateway proposal."

The Teeside CT is expected to act as a gateway to northern markets when it becomes operational in 2010 at the earliest.