Member Article

Northern Ports look to rival South in Powerhouse partnership

The four main ports in the North of England have united as a new Northern Ports Association in a move hoped to create jobs, boost exports and rival the southern port trade.

A recommendation in IPPR North’s Northern Ports report, the official partnership of Liverpool (ran by Peel Ports), Hull (ABP), Teesport (PD Ports) and Tyne (Port of Tyne) should make Northern importing and exporting easier than ever before.

Unified under one banner, the move reaffirms the belief in the Northern Powerhouse according to Ed Cox, Director of IPPR North, who hopes the partnership will rival the domination of southern ports and the problems created in transporting imports and exports across the UK.

At present, 60 per cent of freight destined for the North is delivered to southern ports - leading to unnecessary motorway traffic, delays, pollution and inefficiency.

The unification hopes to make the North a genuine gateway to the world, connecting Atlantic shipping in Liverpool in the west to the east’s links with the continent.

Launched in parliament yesterday, the four ports signed a Memorandum of Understanding to take forward the commitment.

Ed Cox, Director of IPPR North, explained: “Post-Brexit, the Northern Powerhouse agenda is more important than ever.

“Far from the powerhouse being a Whitehall-led scheme, northern businesses are leading the charge and creating much-needed jobs and prosperity.

“For just £100 million, 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.”

Geoff Lippitt, PD Ports’ Business Development Director, 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.

“The commitment of the major northern ports to collaborate and seek out ways to work together delivering solutions to challenges facing the industry such as trans-Pennine connectivity and the skills agenda will benefit us all.

“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.

“We at PD Ports have always been at the forefront of developing economic growth through our investments and this complements what we are already achieving locally, regionally and nationally.”

IPPR North’s Northern Ports report is available to read here.