Member Article

Cargo handling refocus reinvigorates Port of Sunderland

The Port of Sunderland is on course for a record year following a strong showing from its cargo handling business.

Refocusing its efforts on traditional shipping activities, following a downturn in offshore activities bosses at the Port are expecting to see record tonnage figures eclipse the 750,000 tonnes of cargo handled last year.

The site has enjoyed something of a revival over the last six years, after bosses worked in partnership with its municipal owners, Sunderland City Council, to lay out a masterplan for the growth of the port, one of the city’s key assets.

Initially the focus was on capturing business in the renewable energy sector. However, without the expected government policy backing for the sector, there has been a slow down in the project pipeline in that industry that has seen the port focus its attention back on traditional maritime activities, including bulk cargo handling and project cargoes.

Matthew Hunt, port director at Port of Sunderland, explained: “To date, it has been a fantastic year for Port of Sunderland, and we’re on course to beat figures from last year.

“While many ports have seen a decrease in business, Port of Sunderland has not left itself exposed, and has continued to service a broad range of business, meaning that it has been well-protected against any slowing in the current economic climate downturns.”

“It has been fantastic to see the port so busy and we know this is only just the start. We have cleared areas of land across the Port of Sunderland, which will allow us to service an increased volume of business going forward.

Mr Hunt added: “Many ports, operating up down the country, have been hit hard by the dip we have seen. It has simply been necessary to go back to basics and that is exactly what we have done, attracting bulk cargoes which has led to the increased volumes we have seen passing through the port over the last year.”