Port hails 'milestone' Chinese vehicle shipment

A port operator has hailed a “significant milestone” after docking a 5000-strong vehicle vessel.

PD Ports welcomed a huge Chery Automotive carrier to its Teesport site.

Bosses say the delivery to the trade hub, based near Middlesbrough, marks one of the “largest automotive vessel calls in recent years”.

Carrying Chinese-made Chery and Jaecoo models, alongside 1300 Lepas plug-in hybrid cars, they add the contract “reinforces Teesport’s position as a gateway for vehicle distribution across the north of England and beyond.”

Paul Foreman, PD Ports’ recently appointed chief executive, said: “This vessel call is a significant milestone and demonstrates the important role the port can play in supporting the UK's automotive supply chains.

"Handling 5000 vehicles from a single vessel showcases the scale of our infrastructure and the expertise of our teams.

“We hope this will be the first of many future calls as manufacturers continue to look for efficient, resilient and strategically located UK gateways.”

Catherine Zhu, Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery UK logistics director, added: “The opening of this route to Teesport is of strategic importance to our UK operations. 

“It will help relieve congestion at the southern and western ports, significantly improve delivery efficiency to our dealer networks across the north of England and provide robust support for our future UK manufacturing ambitions.

“This is a significant port development for Chery in the UK.”

The shipment comes after Sunderland-based carmaker Nissan revealed it had signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Chery International UK to investigate a Wearside factory partnership.

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