PD Ports

02/06/2026

After 47 years on the River Tees, Pilot Cutter Skipper Rodney Thompson has hung up his lifejacket with a send off attended by friends and colleagues from across PD Ports.

Rodney’s role is one of the most challenging on the river. As skipper of a pilot cutter – a fast, highly manoeuvrable boat – he transferred maritime pilots on to incoming vessels in Tees Bay, often in the toughest sea and weather conditions, so they could safely guide merchant ships into Teesport.

In a job that demands skill, calm judgement and reliability, Rodney is renowned for delivering all three.

Starting out in 1979, long before modern tech, Rodney has also been involved in a number of shipping rescues and served with the Redcar RNLI crew. His career has been defined by professionalism and pride in the river.

Reflecting on his time with PD Ports at the event, he said: “When I started out there was no GPS – we used a compass and a watch and had one radar between three cutters.

"When the fog comes in it’s like driving down the motorway with a blindfold on.

"I’ve been involved with plenty of rescues over the years because we were out there 24/7… we were always nearby.

"I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve met some great friends and colleagues and I’ll miss it. But that’s me – over and out.”

Frans Calje, PD Ports' Chief Executive Officer, said: “Rodney’s story is woven into the history of this business - he has shown the kind of steady commitment that leaves a lasting mark.

“It is clear that he has given this business far more than years of service – he has given dedication, knowledge and a standard of professionalism that others have looked up to for decades.”

Congratulations Rodney and good luck with whatever comes next.

Read more about Rodney and his time on the River Tees:
https://www.pdports.co.uk/news/celebrating-a-remarkable-47-years-of-service-on-the-river-tees/

23/04/2026

A fantastic evening last night at the The Northern Echo BUSINESSiQ North East annual awards at Gateshead's Hilton Hotel where we were delighted to take home the Business of the year award!

It was an honour to be recognised in a room full of fantastic businesses and amazing people doing great things across the North East region. There are 1,400 skilled, committed and proud people that are the strength behind what we do at PD Ports and this award is for every single one of them.

Read more about our win here: www.pdports.co.uk/news/pd-ports-named-business-of-the-year-at-business-iq-awards/

10/04/2026

PD Ports is proud to support Tees Maritime’s latest project, delivered with support from the MFC Foundation and Middlesbrough Council, which links famous players from the club’s history with countries that trade directly with our region by sea.

This weekend, fans heading to Middlesbrough FC’s Riverside Stadium for the game against Portsmouth will see international flags linked to club legends on lamp posts along the route, serving as a reminder that Teesside is connected to the world in more ways than many people realise.

Each flag in the Roaring by the River project also links to engaging school resources designed to help young people understand how international trade works and how much of it happens right here on their doorstep.

We chose to spotlight the Netherlands, represented by former Boro favourite and League Cup hero Bolo Zenden, because it’s one of our most important trading partners, with long‑established container services from Teesport to and from Rotterdam three times a week.

Also, our chief executive is Dutch, so it had to be done!

Our second choice, Spain, represented by Gaizka Mendieta, is another key partner, with regular import routes supporting the construction, agriculture and manufacturing sectors across the Tees region and beyond.

More broadly, PD Ports has direct maritime trading links with most of the countries highlighted in the project – moving the everyday materials that keep the UK economy running. Some of the products imported and exported through our container terminal and bulks quays at Tees and Hartlepool each year include:

Netherlands – containers and unitised goods
Spain – gypsum and potash imports
Belgium – road trailers, vehicles and containers
France – containerised goods
Finland – container services
Portugal – containerised trade
Germany – short‑sea container links
Poland – container traffic
Ghana – vehicles and project cargo
Senegal – vehicle exports
USA – specialist exports and energy‑related cargo

PD Ports Chief Executive Frans Caljé said: “As a proud adopted Teessider, I love initiatives like this. They bring to life the fact that Middlesbrough is a genuinely global place – with ships sailing to and from our river to countries all over the world.

“Ports are a vital part of the national economy – almost everything we buy in the shops, the fuel we fill our cars with and food we eat has come across a quay at some stage – but we’re a largely hidden industry.

“The millions of tonnes of cargo that moves in and out of the River Tees each year has a global impact and I hope projects like this can inspire young people to learn more about the industry on their doorstep.

“Tees Maritime has done a fantastic job creating resources that make international trade real, relevant and exciting for young people across our region, linking it to the star players we all know.”

A huge well done to Jo Vinton-Bullwinkel and everyone involved in the project

26/03/2026

Our Head of Safety, Health, Enviroment and Sustainability, Alan Dixon recently spoke with Port Skills and Safety to celebrate Mental Health in Ports Week 2026.

Talking on the importance of diversity, inclusion and engagement Alan reflects on why diversity, inclusion and mental wellbeing are inseparable in a high‑risk, fast‑paced port environment. Highlighting how safe and efficient operations depend on open communication, supportive teams, and ensuring everyone feels valued, regardless of background, gender or role.

He covers our recent safety listening sessions, the creation of our Men's Network Group and the work our Women's Network Group have undertaken to ensure suitable PPE is available for female colleagues.

Follow the link below to hear the full conversation with Alan on this important topic:

PSS and PD Ports discuss inclusivity initiatives in this four part podcast series.

09/03/2026

An inspiring Tees Business LIVE at MIMA, celebrating the Turner Prize coming to Middlesbrough, what it really means for the region and the businesses around us.

The expert panel discussed how culture and the arts can create economic growth for the region through increased footfall, partnerships and innovative approaches to capitalising on the event.

But also the importance of support from local businesses as ambassadors for Middlesbrough's cultural events to ensure our communities thrive through supporting local talent, creating jobs and overall improvement of wellbeing.

It was clear to see the opportunities the town has on it's horizon, not only as it prepares to host the Turner prize, but the hopes of achieving city of culture and it's bicentenary in 2030. We look forward to feeling the buzz of these events, witnessing history in the making and the future of our region unfolding.

06/03/2026

We're proud to join millions worldwide in marking International Women’s Day, a moment to recognise the achievements and challenges of women across the globe.

This year, the United Nations’ theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” reminds us that progress is ongoing, and it’s up to all of us to help close the gaps that remain.

Alongside the UN theme, this year’s global campaign “Give To Gain” encourages us to offer what we can: our time, our support, our voice, and our commitment to standing up against inequality.

As a company operating in the traditionally male-dominated ports and maritime sector, PD Ports is committed to supporting and empowering women in our industry. Many of our female colleagues are often the only woman on their team or shift. Their experiences, ideas, and safety matter, and we’re determined to ensure they feel backed by all of us.

To mark International Women’s Day, PD Ports is launching a pledge campaign, inviting every member of our workforce to make a personal commitment to uplift women in our industry. Our pledges include:

- Listening and Acting: encouraging open conversations and ensuring concerns are heard and addressed.

- Challenging Stereotypes: Questioning outdated attitudes and championing diversity and inclusion.

- Creating Opportunities: Providing mentoring, training, and genuine opportunities for women to thrive.

- Respecting and Supporting: Making respect and support the everyday norm, not the exception.

We believe that support isn’t about grand gestures, it’s consistent actions that create a workplace where everyone can thrive. This International Women’s Day, we encourage everyone in our community to reflect on how they can “Give To Gain,” whether it’s starting a conversation, offering support, or standing up against inequality.

06/03/2026

Meet Grant, Business Unit Director – Bulks, his story at PD Ports started in 1990. But his first experience of the industry came long before that.

Inspired by his childhood experiences, Grant began his career as a Stevedore in the Teesport Steel Terminal working in a range of operations across the dock. The next 13 years saw him develop his skills and progress from Crane Driver to Chargehand, Team Leader, Shift Manager and Operations Manager.

“I had always found the docks fascinating as my father was a crane driver firstly on Smiths Dock and then Tees Dock. He spoke several languages, so he would regularly take me on to the ships to meet the crew and watch the operations. I would have only been about 7 at the time.”

Backed by a NEBOSH General Certificate and further understanding of the legal side of health and safety, Grant moved on to become General Manager of Bulks in 2019, followed by Operations Director Bulks two years later.

During his career, Grant has seen plenty of changes and challenges. At Teesport, he’s helped the business navigate the transition from steel to bulk, growing operations from small numbers to over 3 million tons. There’s also been time spent at our Felixstowe and Groveport sites, improving health and safety processes as well as driving cost savings.

“I’ve been lucky to have been supported by mentors and colleagues throughout my career. Whether that was bulk processes or finance and cost management, I’ve been given the guidance, confidence and inspiration to believe that anything is possible; even for an operative that started on the shop floor."

To find out more about Grant's career journey visit https://www.pdports.co.uk/careers/stories/grant-honzik/, thank you for joining us during National Careers Week, we hope we might have inspired you to consider a career in the industry.

05/03/2026

Meet Rachel, Business Unit Director – Unitised who joined the business in 2020 after 20 years in the logistics sector, looking for a new challenge that would allow her to continue her development.

Rachel’s career path started with a weekend job in a flower supplier’s warehouse, sparking an interest in logistics and winning her a place on a competitive graduate scheme with M&S Food supplier Gist.

Moving through the ranks at Gist meant regular relocations to depots across the UK, as team leader, shift manager, ops manager and transport planner before taking over as General Manager at some of the depots.

After 17 years with Gist the relocations and 24/7 high-pressure, Rachel was ready for a change and relocated to the North-East for a fresh start.

A stint at PHS brought experience in multi-drop van deliveries but even more travelling. “I wanted something closer to home, a business with growth potential where I’d still have the chance to develop and learn new things,” she says.

Enter PD Ports and a role in the logistics team, as it was then known, to grow the division. In 2024, the opportunity for another move was presented to Rachel – to lead Unitised. “That was an almost scary prospect, not having come from a port background,” she admits.

“It’s at 2am when you’re stood in a refrigerated warehouse with everything going wrong and no one else around that you’ll really learn what you’re capable of.”

To find out more about Rachel's career journey visit www.pdports.co.uk/careers/stories/rachel-beeken/ and keep an eye out for more stories like this one throughout the week as we celebrate National Careers Week!

04/03/2026

Meet Ellie, who started her career in maritime working onboard cruise ships when she was only sixteen, but left after feeling that it wasn’t the career for her. She moved on to part-time work in retail, hospitality, and even took on a role as a bridal sales consultant.

Ellie studied Costume Design at the Northern School of Art, until she saw the advertisement for her current role at PD Ports. She was hesitant to start her career all over again, but intrigued at what the job could offer.

“I think part of me expected working in the port to take me back fifty years. If anything, it is the complete opposite” she says. “I received such a warm welcome when I joined the company, not just from my immediate colleagues, but from so many people along the river. It didn’t take long for me to feel part of the team here.”

Her journey is testament that keeping your options open pays off, she's found her place in the river Tees community and believes there's a position here for everyone.

To find out more about Ellie's career journey visit https://www.pdports.co.uk/careers/stories/ellie-travill/ and keep an eye out for more stories like this one throughout the week as we celebrate National Careers Week!

03/03/2026

Meet Gavin, in 2003, a 17-year-old Gavin Robinson walked through the gates of Teesport as a new apprentice. Two decades later, Gavin leads the Crane Engineering team as a Crane Manager, proof of his hard work and the career opportunities and loyalty that makes PD Ports what it is today.

Gavin spent his early years as an apprentice, learning his trade through a blend of college study and working on-site at Teesport four days a week. He achieved ONC, HNC and NVQ Level 3 qualifications and qualified as an electrician in 2007.

Over the years, Gavin progressed through roles as Team Leader, Superintendent and now Crane Manager, responsible for a team of 18 people. He has introduced a new structure to strengthen planning and efficiency, championed apprentices and driven greener innovation, including working on the procurement of two multi-million-pound electric cranes to replace diesel-powered models.

Gavin is proud to call PD Ports his lifelong employer. “I don’t even have a CV,” he says. “I’ve never needed one. For me, this has always been more than a job – it’s a career, a community and a place where you can make a difference.”

To find out more about Gavin's career journey visit https://www.pdports.co.uk/careers/stories/gavin-robinson/, keep an eye out for more stories like this one throughout the week as we celebrate National Careers Week!