International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised PD Ports on its new long-term deal with worldwide logistics specialist CLdN to bring additional weekly sailings to Teesport.
Already operational, the new service consists of four weekly round trip sailings from Zeebrugge and Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport, and reinforces Teesport’s position as a critical gateway for international trade. The expansion, which is driven by customer demand to have direct and reliable access for freight units to the North of England, will enable shippers to bring cargo closer to its end destination; avoiding road mileage and reducing CO2 emissions.
WBD partner Lucy Pringle and associate Claire Brady led on the deal, providing commercial advice on the agreement between PD Ports and CLdN.
Lucy Pringle commented:
"Our firm is committed to supporting businesses on Teesside and it has been a pleasure to once again work with PD Ports on this exciting development, bringing 'Roll on Roll off' cargo into Teesport from continental Europe and providing a great boost for trade in the region. Our commercial expertise, coupled with our experience advising on ports and logistics agreements, meant we were well placed to secure a smooth completion for all parties under very tight timescales."
Geoff Lippert, Chief Commercial Officer at PD Ports added:
“This is absolutely fantastic news not just for us at PD Ports but also for the River Tees and for the wider region as it truly shows the resilience we have when it comes to ensuring vital trade flows are maintained. As always, we're grateful to the Womble Bond Dickinson team for their diligent and on-point advice throughout this process."
The firm has a strong track record supporting many projects on Teesside including the successful bid for and launch of the UK's first and largest Freeport on Teesside, where the firm represents a broad cross section of stakeholders; advising SeAH Wind on a deal to supply turbine foundations for the Hornsea 3 wind farm; and working with the Tees Valley Combined Authority Group on the Teesworks site.
Last month, WBD announced its expansion in Teesside with the firm moving into a larger office at the Wilton Centre, adjacent to the Wilton International site, one of the key areas comprising Teesside's industrial cluster and part of the Teesside Freeport. Learn more about our Teesside office here.
