UK's Teesport Hikes Tariffs
PD Ports initiated a series of voluntary consultative discussions with the ICS (North East Branch) and the Tees and Hartlepool Port Users Association (THPUA). Following these consultations PD Ports will be increasing all Port Dues Tariffs by 1.0%, broadly in line with current UK RPI, from 1 January 2016. This 1% increase to tariffs is a holding measure whilst the overall impact of the SSI closure as it impinges on the broader River is assessed. Since the closure of SSI UK and the loss of some 25% of port volumes PD Ports has, for its part, undertaken a number of measures to deal with the consequences of this very profound business reduction.
SSI UK Ships Millionth Tonne
SSI UK has recently achieved a major milestone having exported over one million tonnes of steel slab through PD Ports owned Teesport. The millionth tonne was loaded on to the Yasa Eagle on Friday 5 October as part of a 64,000 tonne shipment. The vessel sailed from Teesport on Sunday 7 October destined for Thailand. The latest shipment represents a significant uplift in the handling of slab through Teesport since the plant was mothballed in 2010, and one which has been achieved through the major investment of SSI. David Robinson, PD Ports’ CEO, commented: "This is a significant milestone reached and one which we are delighted to see achieved.