Port of Middlesbrough positions itself as a specialist hub for bulk cargo

(Posted on 18/06/26)

AV Dawson, owner and operator of the Port of Middlesbrough in the UK, has strengthened its position in the dry bulk market by enhancing its specialist handling capabilities and increasing the range of bulk commodities moving through the port.

As a key multimodal logistics hub on the River Tees in the North of England, the Port of Middlesbrough handles a range of cargo types including dry bulk, break bulk and project cargo and products for the renewable energy sector. The port is now focusing more on the dry bulk sector, handling over 200,000 tonnes in the last 12 months.

The Teesside port is handling growing volumes of a variety of cargo types including ferrous sulphate, polyhalite, petroleum coke, salt and other industrial bulk products. This diversification reflects increasing customer demand for ports that can safely, efficiently and reliably manage high-volume, specialist bulk materials within integrated supply chains.

Sustained investment in end-to-end bulk infrastructure continues to drive this growth, ensuring the port remains flexible and responsive to both inbound and outbound bulk trades. Through its dedicated dry bulk facility, the port provides a specialist environment designed for the safe handling, storage and onward distribution of cargo.

As part of its ongoing investment programme, it is enhancing its dry bulk capabilities with the construction of a new rail unloading facility. This will be capable of handling a wide range of bulk aggregates, with a throughput of up to 500 tonnes per hour.

Located adjacent to the port and immediately next to Middlesbrough Goods Yard, it provides a comprehensive multimodal solution for bulk cargo. The facility offers large-scale storage capacity for thousands of tonnes of product, provides weather-protected warehouse space for sensitive materials, operates advanced filtering and separation systems and maintains an on-site weighbridge to ensure precise weight management. Direct rail connectivity enables efficient onward distribution and supports customers’ low-carbon logistics objectives.

The port is also home to a rail-linked canopy, enabling reliable, all-weather rail operations and ensuring loading and discharge can continue uninterrupted in adverse conditions. The 100-metre structure protects bulk materials from moisture and contamination, helping to maintain cargo quality while improving operational efficiency and turnaround times. This covered environment provides customers with a dependable, year-round rail solution that supports sustainable, low-carbon freight movements.

To deliver faster, safer and more efficient bulk handling for customers, the port has invested in DockSolid grab pits positioned directly on the quayside. These weatherproof, mobile pits are used to load cargo efficiently into vessels, reducing handling steps, minimising product loss and protecting sensitive materials from the elements. By positioning the pits close to the vessel, customers benefit from quicker loading rates, reduced turnaround times, improved cargo integrity and increased throughput, helping keep operations on schedule and costs under control.

To underpin rising volumes and an increasingly diverse commodity mix, the port also operates a wide fleet of modern bulk-handling plant and equipment. This includes high-capacity cranes, capable of handling up to 3,000 tonnes per crane per day, fitted with multiple grab types, alongside forklifts and specialist machinery. Together, these assets are designed to handle a broad range of dry bulk products safely, efficiently and at scale.

Port of Middlesbrough General Manager, Richard Hodgson said: “Our continued focus in the bulk cargo sector reflects both the scale of our investment and the confidence customers have in the Port of Middlesbrough as a long-term bulk handling partner. We’ve focused on building capability, from quayside discharge through to storage and multimodal distribution. This way, customers know their cargo is handled efficiently, safely and have complete peace of mind.”

Richard added: “Bulk cargo is a core strength of the Port of Middlesbrough. By expanding the range of bulk materials we handle and by investing in specialist infrastructure like the bulk handling facility, rail canopy and the Dock Solids, we’ve created a more flexible, sustainable and competitive bulk port for customers across the UK and international supply chains.”

Port of Middlesbrough positions itself as a specialist hub for bulk cargo

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Port of Middlesbrough positions itself as a specialist hub for bulk cargo

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