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YOUR QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM THE

JANUARY 2018/ ISSUE 29

STEEL TOWERS SMULDERS PROJECTS, SERVING THE WORLD FROM THE TYNE

08 IAMP 10 FLYING HIGH PLUS OTHER The International Advanced Behind the scenes at the REGULAR FEATURES... Manufacturing Park planned Group, going strong What’s Inside? / News for the North East after 107 years on round-up / Community matters

WWW.PORTOFTYNE.CO.UK

WELCOME...

Welcome to the latest issue of We hear more about the site’s We also bring you the latest Current, your stakeholder magazine. potential as a centre of significant business and community news national importance. from the Port of Tyne, providing In this issue we find out how the plenty to think about as we start the Belgian steel firm Smulders has Geoff Ford, Chairman of the Ford New Year. created a thriving offshore Engineering Group - one of the construction facility on the Port’s longest-serving commercial banks of the Tyne. tenants - takes us behind the scenes at its cutting-edge aerospace Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive division at . of the British Ports Association, tells us how the UK ports industry We find out about Maersk Training continues to play a fundamentally and its specialist centre serving the important role in the country’s offshore sector which economy. is located just a short distance from the Port near the in Plans are gathering pace for . the International Advanced Andrew Moffat Manufacturing Park near the A19. We unveil our new website. Chief Executive Officer

IN THIS ISSUE ISSUE 29/ JANUARY 2018

FEATURES/ REGULARS/ 04 BEHIND THE SCENES AT SMULDERS 10 WHAT’S INSIDE? Geoff Ford, Chairman of the Ford Group, opens the door of the The Belgian steel giant’s construction plant on the banks of the Tyne. Ford Aerospace operation at Tyne Dock. 06 THE WORLD CHANGES, BUT PORTS 12 WHO’S WHO ON THE TYNE? We go behind the scenes at Maersk Training - providing leading-edge REMAIN IMPORTANT safety training for the world’s oil and gas, and renewables industries. Richard Ballantyne, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association, describes the fundamental importance of the ports industry to the UK economy. 14 COMMUNITY MATTERS The latest news from the community initiatives supported by 08 INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED the Port of Tyne. MANUFACTURING PARK GATHERS PACE 16 NEWS ROUND-UP The IAMP will bring jobs and huge investment to the region. News and pictures from the Port of Tyne.

04 06 10 12

Cover: Smulders Projects UK For more information, contact Current is printed on 100% recycled paper Inside cover: One of the rail terminals [email protected] with vegetable-based inks. WWW.PORTOFTYNE.CO.UK at the Port of Tyne Printed and published by Port of Tyne. Editorial team contact Port of Tyne FOLLOW US ON TWITTER All information correct at time of going Lisa Donohoe Maritime House to print. Published January 2018. @PORT_OF_TYNE Public Relations Manager Tyne Dock T. +44 (0) 191 440 7463 NE34 9PT Main editorial photography by T. +44 (0) 191 455 2671 [email protected] Rebecca Hughes. FEATURE/ SMULDERS PROJECTS UK

FOUNDATIONS FOR GLOBAL INDUSTRY LAID ON THE TYNE

THE PIONEERING WORK DONE AT SMULDERS PROJECTS UK ON EQUIPS LEADING-EDGE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY.

For anyone curious about cutting- Here, skilled workers and huge floor edge innovation in renewables, a space makes the construction of items “We are looking forward to a busy future.” visit to Smulders Projects UK’s site like these possible. Tom Coosemans on the banks of the Tyne reveals Smulders Projects UK ground-breaking work being done in Smulders Projects UK is part of the name of sustainable energy. an international group which also includes Smulders Projects Belgium Here at this 300,000m² site, which (Hoboken, Belgium), Iemants The project stands out for the number “This is specialised work and the the Belgian steel firm took over in (Arendonk, Belgium), Willems (Balen, and scale of the jackets and for future holds more serial production at late 2016, more than 600 skilled Belgium), and Spomasz (Poland). the timescale of the project, which . Over the coming decades specialists are working to fulfil major demands that Smulders sites start on the market for wind energy will take a contracts for two leading-edge Smulders, which specialises in a new jacket, each taking 13 weeks leap forward. projects – ’s biggest unique and challenging projects in to construct, every week. The jackets, windfarm Beatrice Offshore Wind the offshore wind, oil and gas sectors, which measure between 68m-81m “Turbines are increasing in size and are Limited on the Moray Firth, and has invested in lifting capacity at its high and weigh 1,000-1,150 tons, placed further from shore in deeper Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wallsend plant, including two gantry will form the basis of the one of the waters. Other foundation forms will Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) cranes which can each lift up to 600 world’s deepest-lying wind farms. become necessary and Smulders is off Aberdeen. tonnes. In addition, it has installed a anticipating this by expanding large ring crane with a lifting capacity Tom Coosemans, General Manager of capacity and facilities, whilst taking The plant is contracted to supply of 3,200 tonnes. Smulders UK, says: “We have more into account the changing quality the Beatrice windfarm with turbine than 600 people on site working on requirements, the most up-to-date foundations, which will be sunk deep The production platform on the Tyne the Beatrice and the EOWDC projects, technological developments and new into the seabed to accommodate provides an excellent base close to and 90% of our people at Wallsend generations of foundations. massive wind turbines at the farm off the renewable and offshore market in are local. In fact, if only more people the coast of Caithness. the UK. were available, 100% of the team “That is why we are in the UK. We would be local. This is a highly trained, know the market will grow. Our It is also assembling 11 pioneering The Wallsend facility is constructing highly skilled workforce, from a region facilities in Belgium are smaller suction bucket foundations for the the lower part of jacket foundations which is very experienced in the oil because we don’t have the space to EOWDC, which is believed to be each weighing 600 tons over and gas sector. grow them. With the growing demand one of the first UK offshore wind 12 months and 560,000 man in the UK combined with the expertise projects where suction buckets will be hours. The upper parts of the jackets “The contract for the Beatrice was in oil and gas, the choice was easy deployed on a large scale, paired with will be brought in from Smulders originally to build 28 jackets, but for us to locate our UK operation on the world’s most powerful turbines. Projects Belgium and attached to we now have an agreement to build the Tyne. The contracts illustrate the specialist the lower section on the site using quite a few more. The footprint of skills at the Wallsend plant. specialised cranes. each jacket is about 25m x 25m, so “Our location close to the Port of Tyne you need a very big facility, which is provides open access to the sea. The what we have at Wallsend. Port also worked to get the National Grid to raise the electricity cables “Both projects are for jackets, but over the site by 5m, and we were very of different types. The Aberdeen pleased about that. contract is for tripod, three- 3,200 600 legged jackets, while those for the “The North East region is also very Beatrice have four legs and pin pile highly skilled, which makes it the TONNES - THE CAPACITY OF THE NUMBER OF SKILLED connections, unlike Aberdeen, which ideal hub for projects. We are looking THE LARGE RING CRANE AT WORKERS ENGAGED AT have new suction bucket foundations. forward to a very busy future here on SMULDERS PROJECTS UK SMULDERS PROJECTS UK the Tyne.” Pin jackets go into the seabed in pre-drilled piles, but the buckets sink into the seabed and suck Pictured right: Steel towers at water out. Smulders UK on the Tyne 04 05 06 FEATURE/ WE ASK THE QUESTIONS

THE WORLD CHANGES, BUT PORTS REMAIN IMPORTANT

IN THE YEAR THE BRITISH PORTS ASSOCIATION THE BRITISH PORTS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL BRINGS ITS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO TYNESIDE, CONFERENCE 2018 WE ASK ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE, RICHARD BALLANTYNE, HOSTED BY THE PORT OF TYNE TO CONSIDER THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OCTOBER 10-11 FACING THE UK’S PORT NETWORK. SAGE

Richard Ballantyne represents the 95% of the UK’s international trade British Ports Association (BPA) on a is carried through UK ports, which “This is a steady and solid industry and ports are number of industry bodies and is a also handle 25 million international member of a range of Government passenger journeys each year. good at responding to change. Global sea trade stakeholder groups and European Ports are hubs of economic is growing and, whatever happens with Brexit, Committees. He has expertise in activity providing opportunities for ports, transport and environment employment and commerce. They we still need to import and export goods through policy and wide experience of have to invest large sums to cope the UK legislative process. He with increasing demand, particularly our ports.” sits on the European Sea Ports in the roll on, roll off, container Richard Ballantyne Organisation’s Executive Committee, and offshore energy sectors. This Chief Executive, the British Ports Association the Maritime UK Board and is also a investment is crucial if the UK Director of Port Skills and Safety. economy is to remain competitive internationally. What does the British Ports For ports handling high value But this is a steady and solid Association do? Where do ports’ greatest cargoes like cars, tariff increases industry and ports are good at We represent the interests of our opportunities lie? will bring challenges. Away from responding to change. While there 100 full members and numerous Major growth areas include the Brexit, there is a growing creep is a decline in and some bulk associate members to the UK cruise sector, which benefits of conditions on marine and land loads, there is an enormous increase and devolved Governments, the from our unique network of UK development. Many of these in unitised freight such as containers EU and national and international ports. Another opportunity lies in designations are put in place with and particularly Ro-Ro. As, global bodies. Our membership comprises the decommissioning of oil and good intention, but they can be very sea trade is growing and whatever more than 350 UK port, terminal gas installations in the , restrictive, and costly and time- happens with Brexit, we still need operators and harbour facilities, all which are dismantled and brought consuming for ports to deal with. to import and export goods through of varying size, location and nature. ashore through ports. Meanwhile, our ports. the growth of offshore renewables How do you make the needs of Who are your members? is crucial to our ports, while post- ports heard? What is the Port of Tyne’s point of They represent a broad cross section Brexit deregulation will boost global We have a complicated job in difference? of the UK port industry, covering networks with non-EU countries. dealing with both the Government It’s a fascinating place - a every activity from large cargo and the devolved administrations microcosm of the whole industry. handling and terminal operators to Where do ports’ challenges lie? and our needs do not always grab While many ports specialise in small leisure ports. Ports fall into Brexit brings with it the issue of public attention like, for instance, particular cargoes, such as Dover three types of ownership - privatised, new customs arrangements with our consumer-focused projects like HS2 with ferries or Felixstowe with local authority, or trust. They closest trading partners in the EU. or Heathrow. People are less aware containers, for instance, the are all self-financing commercial For Ro-Ro ports and lorry freight, of how ports impact on their daily Port of Tyne does everything. enterprises, free from systematic the requirement to submit customs lives. It handles container traffic, it Government support or subsidy. information to HMRC could lead to has a busy passenger terminal, it delays. Brexit may also bring new How will the ports industry develop handles numerous cruise calls Why are ports important? checks on food products, which over the next decade? annually, it deals in bulks, This is an island nation, and the could again cause backlogs. If the Changes such as the decline in coal wood pellet, and offshore supply. UK ports industry is fundamentally economy slows there may be a and increase in renewables affects It’s a fascinating operation and important to our economy. decline in port tonnage. ports in terms of goods they handle. well known in our industry. 07 FEATURE/ THE IAMP

INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PARK HEADING FOR THE REGION THE INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PARK (IAMP) IS THE BIGGEST THING FOR THE NORTH EAST’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF NISSAN, AND THE PORT OF TYNE IS PERFECTLY PLACED TO BE ITS TENANTS’ AND SUPPLIERS’ PORT OF CHOICE.

“IAMP will have a major impact on our communities, creating thousands of jobs.” Councillor Iain Malcolm £400M 5,000 Leader, Council THE INVESTMENT IAMP THE NUMBER OF JOBS WILL BRING TO THE REGION IAMP IS EXPECTED This includes new roads, bridges and “New jobs will be in advanced environmental enhancements. The manufacturing, automotive supply TO CREATE project will also see contributions and knowledge-based industries. from the two local authorities and IAMP will play a key role in Enterprise Zone income. transforming the fortunes of this region, and the UK as a whole.” Thanks to businesses like the Port of Covering 150 hectares, it will include Subject to further permissions, work Tyne, Nissan and Hitachi, the North around 350,000m2 of commercial on the site should begin in 2018. The IAMP’s Joint Area Action Plan East has a reputation for putting space alongside new infrastructure (AAP) was adopted by both councils itself on the global map. Now, plans and services. Detailed analysis has Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader in November 2017 and both councils to create a world-class hub for proved the need for a large area of of South Tyneside Council said: have completed extensive consultation high-tech industries and advanced business space within the region “This is a hugely important project on the IAMP plans. The AAP sets out manufacturing, bringing with it more and particular demands for supply for the region. It’s the largest the broad planning framework and than £400m of investment, will chain companies close to Nissan. In manufacturing project to be land use policies for the IAMP for further underpin that reputation and addition, in recent years a number of developed in decades, which is why the next 15 years and will now form represent one of the most significant large investment projects have had to the Government has named it a part of both South Tyneside’s and economic developments in the region be turned away due to a shortage of Project of National Significance. That ’s statutory Local Plans. for decades. suitable sites in the area. helps us to influence funding and gives us something to shout about Councillor Harry Trueman, deputy The International Advanced A core element of the City Deal for internationally. It is fantastic to have leader of Sunderland City Council, Manufacturing Park (IAMP) is a joint Sunderland and South Tyneside, the the support of ministers.” said: “The IAMP offers a fantastic initiative between South Tyneside and project will deliver more than 5,000 opportunity for this area’s position as Sunderland City councils. highly skilled jobs and attract more The first occupiers should be on one of the UK’s leading automotive major international businesses to site in 2019 and the park should be and advanced manufacturing hubs to Officially designated a Scheme of the region. operational in 2019-20. Talks are continue to grow, not only through this National Significance, the project, ongoing with a number of international generation of businesses, but through worth an estimated £400m, is The Port of Tyne is perfectly companies interested in basing their future generations. planned for land to the north of placed to be the port of choice for interests at the site and there is Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) to manufacturers and suppliers to the ongoing work with schools, colleges “The IAMP’s industries and investment the west of the A19. It will become IAMP, as it has supported Nissan and and universities to ensure the area will boost the wealth of the North an international location for advanced its supply chain for the past 30 years. can meet workforce requirements. East region, thanks both to the high manufacturing and European-scale quality of the jobs it will attract and supply chain industries, providing The Government has pledged Councillor Malcolm added: “IAMP the number of jobs it will provide. It sustainable employment and £42m through the North East Local will have a major impact on our has the size, impact and ambition to maximising links with Nissan and Enterprise Partnership (LEP) towards communities, creating thousands be a game-changer for many decades other high value automotive industries. infrastructure at IAMP. of jobs. to come.” 08 Pictured above: IAMP Masterplan illustrative sketch 09 10 WHAT’S INSIDE/ THE FORD GROUP

THE FORD GROUP - FLYING THE FLAG FOR TYNESIDE

WITH 107 YEARS OF SKILLED MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING TO ITS NAME, THE FORD GROUP IS A GREAT NORTH EAST SUCCESS STORY WHOSE WORK TRAVELS THE WORLD FROM ITS BASE AT THE PORT OF TYNE.

More than 107 years since it was “This is a very innovative and founded, the Ford Engineering imaginative place.” “The opportunities in UK aerospace are probably Group is as firmly rooted in South Tyneside as it has ever been, while the He is proud to keep the business the biggest they have ever been.” specialist components made by its founded by his grandfather in South Geoff Ford highly skilled staff travel the world. Shields. “I’m from South Shields and Chairman, the Ford Engineering Group incredibly proud of it. What people One of the Port of Tyne’s longest- may not know locally is that we are established tenants, the group making safety-critical components At two years old this is already the Their training will benefit engineering comprises two operating subsidiaries for helicopter gearboxes here. Lives largest automotive cluster in the UK, employers all over the region. “Of the – Ford Aerospace at the Port of Tyne, really do depend on the work we do which is an example, he says, “of 32 who started in September, 24 are where the group HQ is also based, here and our employees understand what we in the region can do when from South Tyneside,” says Geoff. and Ford Components at North the importance of what they are we put our minds and hearts into “I’m very proud of that.” Shields, which supplies pressed doing. We are proud of that and never something.” components to the automotive and satisfied that we do it well enough.” A natural optimist, Geoff says he power generation sectors. The Ford Group, which employs a is very aware of the importance He describes the Port of Tyne as further 70 personnel in North Shields, of the business creating its own The Port of Tyne-based Ford the firm’s ‘spiritual home’. “We have benefits, Geoff says, from being a success. “The opportunities in UK Aerospace provides precision about 80 years to go on the lease, family-owned and run SME. “Family aerospace are probably the biggest machined components to the global and I intend to be here to sign the businesses can be more paternalistic they have ever been. We have to take aerospace industry, its customers renewal!” he says, 107 years after his and we do look after our workforce,” advantage of that. including Airbus, BAE Systems, grandfather founded Ford and Co on he says. “I would like to think we are a Leonardo Helicopters (formerly nearby Commercial Road. He began good company to work for.” “Of course there are challenges, Westland), and Avio in Italy. with a staff of three, including himself, notably Brexit, but whatever that and Geoff followed his grandfather In July 2013 the group launched its throws at us, we have to overcome it. Aerospace now accounts for 60% and his father into the business in training academy, which since 2016 That will require ingenuity and creative of Ford’s £11m turnover. It has 1974, at the age of 30. has been run by Gateshead College thinking. We have survived this long established markets in Europe and and is currently training 32 young and come through two world wars. We the US, while China is a rapidly The company is privileged, he says, to people aged 16-24. will be here for a very long time yet.” growing market, says group Chairman be located in an area with a history Geoff Ford MBE. “The Chinese see of manufacturing and engineering aerospace as a hub to hub system, excellence, and good connectivity. rather like taking a bus. Soon, every “We are incredibly well-connected Chinese city will have to have its here,” says Geoff. “Our client own airport.” Leonardo Helicopters is in Somerset, yet we see them every week. They fly 107 £11M Ford Group’s Tyne Dock operation up from Bristol and get the Metro here is home to 80 staff working in from the airport. They are amazed THE NUMBER OF YEARS FORD GROUP TURNOVER, engineering, manufacturing, quality how quick the door-to-door journey is.” THE FORD GROUP HAS 60% OF IT GENERATED assurance, administration, sales, HR, BEEN BASED IN BY PORT OF TYNE-BASED finance and IT. “We have been here He is a great advocate for the region SOUTH SHIELDS FORD AEROSPACE since 1965 and have seen great and the group is a founder member of change in recent years,” says Geoff. the North East Automotive Alliance. 11 WHO’S WHO ON THE TYNE/ MAERSK TRAINING

NORTH EAST EXPERTISE KEEPING THE WORLD SAFE

MAERSK TRAINING BASED ON THE RIVER TYNE IS EXPORTING EXPERTISE WORLDWIDE.

You don’t have to be an expert in There is a range of offshore survival, logistics to know the name Maersk - management, safety, medical and “We are able to export our skills and expertise the world’s largest shipping company. people skills courses and Maersk But you may not be aware that the Training works closely with industry worldwide from our base here in the North East.” Danish giant, which also has a long in constantly developing to meet John Abate history in the oil and gas sector, is a changing industry demands. Managing Director, Maersk Training world leader in training for the oil and gas, wind and maritime industries, Maersk Training was founded after delivering internationally accredited a gap between certification and training at centres worldwide, competence was identified in a major including one on North Tyneside. accident in the North Sea. It has other training centres in Aberdeen, The company’s North Shields hub Chennai in India, Esbjerg and is the first training centre in the Svendborg in Denmark, Stavanger UK to be accredited by the Global in Norway, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai 40 50 Wind Organisation (GWO), and the and Singapore. only independent centre in the UK THE NUMBER OF YEARS THE NUMBER OF TRAINEES accredited to provide Siemens Level 2 The North Tyneside centre specialises MAERSK TRAINING HAS AT MAERSK TRAINING’S and 3 Technical Training. Its facilities in training personnel at every level of BEEN ACTIVE NORTH SHIELDS are at the leading edge of the latest expertise from the renewables sector FACILITY EACH DAY technologies and include a bespoke and comprises five units including hub rescue facility providing practical working at height and sea survival training for personnel required to facilities. access the hub and yaw sections of wind turbine generators. Managing Director John Abate “We work hand in glove with “Our hub, for example, is a realistic says: “The training business, accredited bodies to deliver high environment with all its challenges in The instructors here are experts which has been active for nearly standards of training.” which we train in how to evacuate a picked directly from their industries 40 years, was founded following an casualty. We let off smoke and noise and are regularly circulated back to investigation into an incident on an Over the last seven years, Maersk to put delegates into sensory overload work in order to maintain their skills. oil and gas asset which showed that training has offered its services to and they have to remain focused to On any given day at North Shields, personnel had a certificate, but not external companies, and as a result work as a team and safely propel 30 to 50 delegates will be put through necessarily the competence to do it has expanded into the renewables the casualty to safety.” As the oil and their paces in situations ranging from their job. It is very easy for people to sector. John says: “In renewables, the gas sector slows, training personnel classroom training to crane operation believe they just need a ticket to do turbines are getting bigger and moving from the renewables sector is a major to simulated survival and rescue in a job. further offshore. Our experience in oil growth area for the business. “The critical situations. and gas shows in this area. UK is leading standards of training “We manage a high standard of and safety,” says John. “We have an Facilities include fire fighting and training, in addition to achieving “We provide the most realistic opportunity to export our skills and maritime simulators, and training an enhanced standard as to the simulated environments so that we knowledge worldwide from our base is offered in challenges as close to reasons why you do A, B or C in any can push delegates to the edge in a here in the North East. We expect to real working conditions as possible. given situation. protected environment. be here for a very long time.” 12 13 COMMUNITY MATTERS/

TERRY GETS INTO THE SWING OF THINGS

Terry Deary, one of the UK’s biggest selling authors and best known as the writer of the Horrible Histories series, joined Port of Tyne apprentices on a visit to the iconic Swing Bridge in Newcastle.

During the visit the apprentices and Terry were given a guided tour of the bridge mechanism led by Port engineers and a further account of the fascinating history of the bridge hosted by a Blue Badge Guide.

PORT CONTINUES TO SUPPORT DURHAM CCC

The Port of Tyne has helped Durham County Cricket Club to launch its 2018 Port-sponsored shirts for the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Cricketers Mark Wood and Chris Rushworth officially launched the new kit at Riverside Quay, where both bowlers put the shirts through their paces for a promotional video.

The new shirt features a collared jersey made from lightweight polyester and incorporates the famous navy blue and yellow colourway that was prominent during Durham’s Royal London One-Day Cup win in 2014.

Pictured right: Durham players Chris Rushworth and Mark Wood unveil the new shirts at the Port of Tyne 14 NEWS ROUND-UP/

POWERING AHEAD WEBSITE LAUNCH

The Port of Tyne’s new and refreshed A host of smaller but impactful website is on its way. changes also improve the user experience throughout the site. The updated site includes improved content structure and dropdown The site will be online soon at menus for mobile and desktop. www.portoftyne.co.uk.

Lynemouth Power Limited (LPL) is The new Port storage facility at the making good progress in converting Port for LPL represents an investment its power station in South East of around £38m by the Port in new from coal to infrastructure and extending Riverside biomass, and testing is underway Quay by 125 metres (20%). LPL at the Port to ensure the first wood is investing around £100m in the pellet will head there by rail early in project, which centres on the storage 2018. and handling facility at the Port. This consists of three storage The Port has secured the agreement silos and a dedicated rail to handle, store and transport up loading silo. to 1.8m tonnes of wood pellet every year once the conversion is complete. The project also includes almost Commissioning of the Port system 1,400 metres of enclosed conveyor began in November with testing of the system and two new rail-mounted Port hoppers and the LPL conveyor. eco-hoppers. DISTINGUISHED VISITOR TREASURY SECRETARY VISIT

The Permanent Secretary to HM The visit provided an opportunity Treasury Sir Tom Scholar KCB visited for Sir Tom to consider some of the the Port of Tyne to find out more issues which currently affect the Port, about the Port’s operations and its including connectivity, and find out impact on the economy. more about its plans for the future.

He toured the Port estate and saw the Pictured below: Port of Tyne new storage and handling facility for Chief Executive Andrew Moffat Lynemouth Power Limited. welcomes Sir Tom Scholar to the Port

The Port of Tyne hosted a visit of The Port of Tyne provides import the Japanese Minister for Economic and export services to a number Affairs, Mr Shuichi Akamatsu, who of Japanese businesses including: was also visiting Nissan during a tour Nissan, NSA, Calsonic Kansei, Nifco, of the region. Nipon Yusen, MOL, Komatsu and Hitachi. The visit prompted the perfect opportunity to strengthen Japanese Pictured above: The minister is welcomed business relations in the region. to the Port of Tyne 15 CONVENTIONAL & BULK CARGO CAR TERMINALS CRUISE & FERRY LOGISTICS ESTATES