Port of Tyne unveils 2050 vision for success

Port bosses have unveiled a blueprint to secure a site’s long-term future.

Officials at Port of Tyne say their Tyne 2050 vision will strengthen the base’s domestic and international presence and place it as a pioneering force in ecology and diversity.

Hailing the policy’s potential, bosses say it supports the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan and the Government’s Maritime 2050 strategy, which sets out ambitions for the UK to lead the way in clean maritime growth and innovation.

According to the plan, officials aim to make Port of Tyne carbon neutral by 2030, by becoming a test bed for clean energy as an all-electric port.

Furthermore, it also aspires to double diversity by 2030 and create an environment where the port leads on technology and innovation, and collaborates with global industry to build on the UK’s first Maritime Innovation Hub.

Based at the port, the hub sees Port of Tyne work alongside partners such as PD Ports, Nissan, Connected Places Catapult and Accenture to develop solutions to the technological challenges facing the maritime sector and the wider logistics industry both nationally and globally.

“The Tyne 2050 plan is an exciting new vision for the port, said Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne chief executive.

“The strategy is critical to sustaining the port for the long-term and will help lead the way in key areas such as environment and technology, as well as collaboration and innovation.

“The port is the gateway to the North East and is key to helping drive the economic success of our region – a responsibility we take very seriously.

“In addition, we want to play our part in driving the maritime industry forward for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

“With 95 per cent of all imports and exports in the UK coming to our shores by sea, it’s essential we modernise and work together on the key areas within our plan.

“This is a clear vision for our business and one we are committed to achieving for the port, the region and the industry as a whole.”

Lucy Armstrong, Port of Tyne chair, added: “This is a plan for purposeful change; it’s a chance to reinvent ourselves and unlock the true potential of the Port of Tyne and River Tyne corridor.

“Tyne 2050 is intentionally ambitious – we will strive to lead the charge and be the best and our strategic aims reflect this ambition.”

Connecting global businesses and supporting more than 12,000 jobs, officials say the port adds more than £621 million to the economy.