PD Ports invests in specialist bulks tipper truck fleet

(Posted on 09/09/24)

A £1m investment in five specialist bulks tipper trucks has strengthened PD Ports’ services for customers importing grain and powder products at Teesport.

PD Ports is one of the UK’s major port groups operating across 12 locations nationwide including Tees Valley, Groveport, Felixstowe and the Isle of Wight.

The STAS Agrostar bulk tipper trailers, designed for the unloading of complex compound products such as grain and powder, arrived this summer alongside five Volvo trucks.

The investment highlights PD Ports’ commitment to portcentric logistics and providing all customers at Tees Dock with an end-to-end service.

An additional 10 drivers have also been employed to operate the trailers, with existing drivers in the transport team also undergoing extra training.

The STAS trailers have advanced safety features, including a pneumatic automatic tailgate which can be operated from inside the driver’s cab for safety – the tailgate is also suspended by a double hinge which allows the door to swing up higher in order to avoid damage during the unloading process.

Each trailer has a heavy duty, wear-resistant floor, fitted with underbody vibrators to help avoid product becoming stuck in the trailer and a PM1155 weighing system, operable by a remote control that can weigh the load to within 10kg.

The new fleet of bulks tipper trucks is the latest in a series of investments in Tees Dock’s bulks quay, including £9m on two 140t rail-mounted Liebherr electric-hydraulic mobile harbour cranes and self-propelled hoppers and additional load shovels, all of which have seen vessel discharge times improve along with wider efficiencies for customers.

In support of the new fleet, PD Ports has also achieved TASCC Accreditation, the AIC Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops; additionally all drivers have also had product and TASCC training.

The scheme aims to combine food/feed safety legal requirements with recognised industry good practice and specific customer requirements to provide confidence in the food/feed chain.

Chris Poole, PD Ports transport manager (bulks), who has joined the company to run the new service with 20 years’ experience in the haulage industry, said: “Bulk products are a huge part of our business at Tees Dock but until now we haven’t had an inhouse transport service for free-flowing powder or grain.

“We’ve worked hard to build a strong relationship between our team in transport and the team in bulks so that we can offer customers the option of a service that sees us handle their product from quay to end destination, making it more efficient and cost effective.

“By achieving TASCC accreditation and training all drivers in the details of each product, we can be sure to provide the best service and maintain the highest standards.”

For more information on the services PD Ports can offer to customers importing and exporting bulk products visit www.pdports.co.uk/services

Latest News

Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows

In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a... Read more

PD Ports announce Paul Foreman as new CEO

PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port and logistics businesses, announced today that Paul Foreman... Read more

New San Diego bulk sugar import facility to use only electric trucks

The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised... Read more

Expanded partnership through bulk infrastructure development at Khalifa Port

AD Ports Group, an Abu Dhabi based, leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more

Port of Hamburg strengthens partnership with China

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement... Read more

Contract awarded for Pilbara Ports Zone 5 Bypass Channel

The Cook Labor Government in Australia has welcomed the award of a dredging contract to Jan De Nul ... Read more

Netherlands Parliamentary rules out Maasvlakte II as location for new nuclear power plants

A parliamentary letter in the Netherlands on the selection of a site for the construction of two new... Read more

SSAB’s port operations in Raahe develop safety together with ESL Shipping

The long-term safety cooperation between ESL Shipping and the port of SSAB’s Raahe site is visible... Read more

Liverpool sees 200% rise in fertiliser imports interest amid ongoing uncertainty

The Port of Liverpool is experiencing a surge in demand from fertiliser importers as continued uncertainty... Read more

PD Ports strengthens Teesport bulk handling with £5.4m crane investment

PD Ports has further strengthened its bulk handling capability at Teesport with the arrival of... Read more