PD Ports has a publicly stated aim to be the UK’s most sustainable port company, with a commitment to reach Net Zero operations by 2040.

Today, we launch our company’s sustainability strategy which, for the first time, marks a formal commitment to PD’s Port’s environmental, social and governance obligations.

The strategy contains 17 long-term targets to deliver a sustainable future for one of the UK’s largest ports and will be used to evaluate the company’s decarbonisation and biodiversity efforts.

PD Ports has also gone further by enshrining social as well as environmental goals, including a commitment to introduce 3,000 young people to the ports and maritime sector by 2030.

This pioneering approach reflects the unique strength of PD Ports’ commitment to supporting communities across Tees Valley and giving young people new opportunities to thrive and succeed.

The new strategy has won the support of newly-appointed Maritime Minister Mike Kane, who has praised PD Ports’ efforts and reiterated the new Government’s ambitions to decarbonise the maritime sector.

In the last five years, PD Ports has made substantial investments across 11 UK sites, including a £9m investment in two Liebherr electric-hydraulic bulks handling cranes, which together can lift 140 tonnes of project cargo.

Other initiatives have included the purchase of a fleet of electric vehicles and electric-powered handling equipment on the dock. Solar panels have also been installed across our sites and all grid power is supplied from renewable sources.

Other equipment has been converted from diesel powered to hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO), which reduces carbon emissions by 90%.

This summer will see the arrival of the Emerald Duchess, a £23m dredger for the Tees, which will be the first of its kind in the UK and run on low-carbon fuel sources.

Frans Calje, chief executive officer of PD Ports, laid down a challenge to all staff at PD Ports in 2019 to become the UK’s most sustainable port company.

He said: “The strategy is our public commitment as a business to be held accountable for our actions, both now and in the future.

“The document contains clear targets for us to achieve. I firmly believe that by acting early, we have put ourselves in a strong position to achieve our aims to reach carbon neutral operations in the coming years and Net Zero status by 2040.

“In the last five years we’ve made great strides, investing in new equipment and moving away from diesel, towards solar and wind-generated electricity and low-carbon alternative fuels.

“I’m clear too that sustainability is not just about the environment. We can make a real impact on the communities we serve with targeted and consistent support.

“A key commitment is to introduce 3,000 young people to the port and maritime sector by 2030 – we want to open doors and raise aspirations for those who don’t realise the great opportunities on their doorstep.

“As a business we are a massive operation, working 24/7, 365 days a year, using huge amounts of energy and with a diverse workforce and supply chain.

“If we commit to making changes for the better, the ripple effect of those actions can be far reaching and have real impact.”

To celebrate the launch of the Sustainability Strategy, competition winners from Captain Cook Primary School, in Marton, Teesside, visited the port to unveil the new, official names for the two Liebherr electric hydraulic cranes at Tees Dock – Net Zero Hero and Lean Green Machine.

Frans added: “This engagement with young people – asking them to think about what future holds and introducing them to potential career opportunities – is what this strategy is all about.”

Maritime Minister Mike Kane said: “This Government will build a greener, more dynamic Britain, which tackles the climate crisis head-on. Decarbonising the maritime sector, which will deliver more sustainable jobs, is central to our climate delivery.

“I applaud PD Ports for its ambition to become the UK’s most sustainable port company – and congratulations to the winning pupils at Captain Cook Primary School for their creativity!”

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said: “I’d like to congratulate everyone at PD Ports for their fantastic ambition to be the UK’s most sustainable port company and their commitment to reach Net Zero operations by 2040.

“This shows remarkable leadership from one of the UK’s largest ports and will help support Teesside’s ambitions to lead a new green industrial renaissance. I fully support their social and economic goals too and look forward to helping them support 3,000 young people into the ports sector.”