July 1 - PD Ports has signed an agreement with other major ports across the north of the UK, forming a collaboration to ensure its unified voice is heard by government to improve freight and transport links across the region.

PD Ports, the Port of Tyne, Associated British Ports (ABP) and Peel Ports have together agreed to pursue a "Northern Ports Strategy", which aims to create new jobs in and around ports, and boost investment in a east to west freight corridor, with improvements to rail infrastructure.

A report compiled by IPPR North has suggested that there is considerable value in the port operators in the north of the UK joining forces to promote their ports for international connectivity and industrial development.

The 53-page document - Gateways to the Northern Powerhouse: Towards a Northern Ports Strategy - has been compiled, which identifies 15 recommendations for central and local government, local enterprise partnerships as well as northern ports, and freight and logistics companies. Primary recommendations include the development of industry clusters, adoption of masterplans for individual ports, and a modal shift from trucking to rail and coastal feeder shipping.

www.pdports.co.uk

www.peelports.com

www.abports.co.uk

www.portoftyne.co.uk

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