A new partnership has been agreed between the four main ports of Northern England. This alliance proposes to boost exports from the North East and North West and create jobs in the regions.
PD Ports, Port of Tyne, ABP Ports and Peel Ports operate from Teesport, Tyneside, Hull and Liverpool respectively. Combined they have formed The Northern Ports Association with the intention to make importing and exporting easier and more sustainable by reducing inland UK traffic to the dominating southern ports.
The northern ports have great access to the Atlantic through Liverpool and the continent from the North East. With these links it is envisaged that the North can truly be a “gateway to the world”, something IPPR North director Ed Cox believes: “Far from the [Northern] powerhouse being a Whitehall-led scheme, northern businesses are leading the charge and creating much-needed jobs and prosperity.
"For just £100m, the government could open up east-west port connections and create a gateway to a global North. This is exactly the kind of shovel-ready project the government is looking to be eyeing-up ahead of the Autumn Statement."
Backing up Mr Cox’s points, Geoff Lippitt, Business Development Director at PD Ports, added: "The launch of the Northern Ports Association is incredibly positive.
"It will unite us in developing a stronger, more progressive and prosperous northern economy linked to international trade.
"We are in changing and uncertain economic times, therefore it's important that the North and Northern ports are seen as a progressive body to drive through that change."
The Northern Ports Association was launched in parliament on the 13th September with the four ports signing a Memorandum of Understanding.
