Port plan brings 5,500 jobs boost

The project was approved by shipping minister Jim Fitzpatrick

A plan for a huge terminal on Teesside, creating up to 5,500 jobs, has been approved by the government.

PD Ports will now build a £300m deep-sea container terminal at its current facility at Teesport.

The new facility will increase the number of containers passing through the port from about 250,000 a year to up to 1.5m.

Approval for the "Northern Gateway" development was given by shipping minister Jim Fitzpatrick on Friday.

David Robinson, PD Ports' group chief executive officer, said: "Today is a significant step for Teesport and for the maritime industry as a whole.

"A deep-sea container terminal on the Tees will attract container ships direct to Teesport from around the globe."

Neighbouring firm Hutchison Ports had objected to the project, fearing existing rail capacity could not handle more freight traffic, but this was withdrawn in September.