A NORTH-EAST port has secured a deal with Dutch shipping line.

PD Ports will be working with Cargow, which bosses say will further strengthens Teesport’s platform and market position as a port of choice for shippers accessing the North of the UK for onward distribution of trade.

PD Ports already works with seven shipping lines, including some of the world’s largest, and this new relationship will see a direct bi-weekly connection with west coast of Norway, east coast of Iceland, Faroe, Shetland, and Rotterdam providing additional connections for key sectors in the Tees Valley including project, offshore, wind, oil and gas.

The Cargow deal is a new market to PD Ports and the company will transport the ship’s cargo to and from the Midlands via its extensive road haulage fleet.

Kim Catterick, general manager in key accounts at PD Ports said: “Developing this relationship with Cargow demonstrates our size, scale and capability to support growing requirements of international trade, putting us at the forefront in the UK for facilitating trade movements as an asset of national importance.

“The relationship strengthens our position here at Teesport as a port of choice, with Cargow joining many other shipping lines choosing this as a route for transporting goods to their closest end destination in a more efficient and cost-effective manner – a core service strength of PD Ports.”

Stefan Stefansson, chief executive of Cargow said: “We have chosen Teesport because of its location, accessibility and connectivity for onward transport, as well as its high service level.

"We are pleased that Teesport is being added to our network and have confidence in PD Ports because the company is well experienced in handling both containers and project cargoes.”

Earlier this year, bosses at PD Ports welcomed the Maritime 2050 strategy released by the Department for Transport to map out a plan to support the UK’s ambition to be a world-leading maritime nation.

The report highlighted seven high-level themes including the UK’s competitive advantage, environment, infrastructure, people, security, technology and trade.

The strategy is hoped to bring the maritime industry and Government together to work on industry-specific challenges.

PD Ports’ chief executive Frans Calje, said: “We will continue to work closely with the Government, customers and stakeholders to tackle key industry priorities such as skills, improved transport infrastructure for freight, job creation and sustainable economic growth across the Northern Powerhouse, helping to shape the industry’s future.