Marking a first for the Port of Tyne, the first ever container shipment of goods coming directly from China into the UK has docked and been efficiently unloaded in South Shields.
The vessel was utilised by a number of leading retailers to ensure a wide range of consumer goods from well-known brands would arrive in time for peak trading periods.
It represents a turning point for South Shields as a potential destination for logistics providers seeking an alternative to congested southern ports.
“This is the first time we have handled containers coming direct from China and it demonstrates that the Port can have a significant impact on easing current challenges of capacity being experienced within the UK shipping and logistics sector,” says Richard Newton, Commercial Director for Logistics at the Port of Tyne.
The Port of Tyne has regularly demonstrated the ability to handle additional vessels at short notice and provide efficient handling services for shipping providers.
Its location makes it an ideal choice for customers who are seeking a range of routes to market with multimodal transportation options including rail, road, onwards shipping, plus environmentally efficient port centric warehousing.
As the UK continues to struggle with inbound supply chain issues, the Port of Tyne has strategically expanded its range of intermodal services.
Most recently, GB Railfreight (GBRf) commenced an intermodal service from the Port of Tyne to strategic rail hubs in Yorkshire and the Midlands.
These new port to rail freight services were launched to ease the strains created by simultaneously increased consumer demand and global supply chain challenges, to ensure timely delivery of goods across the UK.
Port of Tyne is one of the UK’s major deep-sea ports – operating in bulk and conventional cargo, car terminals, cruise & ferry, port centric logistics and estates.
Port of Tyne was recently awarded the Seatrade Maritime 2021 Sustainable Supply Chain Management of the Year Award and 2 Maritime UK 2020 Clean Energy Awards, for Clean Energy Operator and Clean Energy Enabler.
One of the UK’s largest Trust Ports and entirely self-financing, the Port receives no Government funding, is run on a commercial basis and reinvests all profits back into the Port for the benefit of all of its stakeholders.
