A major player – fact!

A David and Goliath moment happened last night at the Lloyd's List Awards 2008 when the Port of Tyne was named Port Operator of the Year, beating major league players APM Terminals (The Netherlands), DP World, Port Said Port Authority and PSA International (Port of Singapore Authority)!

A delighted Keith Wilson, Port of Tyne's Managing Director said: “I'm not normally lost for words, but last night left me speechless with pride! Lloyd's List is renowned throughout the world as a benchmark for excellence within the maritime industry. We were just delighted to have been named as one of the finalists, especially when we saw the very high calibre of the ports we were up against, but winning last night reinforced just how far we have come and how successful our strategy and reinvestment programme has been.”

In his introduction to the Awards ceremony, held in the Natural History Museum, London, Julian Bray, editor of Lloyd's List said: “For the past four years, shipping has been enjoying a boom unparalleled in modern times. And despite current global economic uncertainties, the industry continues to serve the world, carrying vital raw commodities, food and fuel, as well as the manufactured goods consumers crave. Shipping is also striving to reduce its environmental impact, while seafarers continue to risk their own lives to help others in distress. The Lloyd's List Awards salute all who are involved in the business of shipping – from entrepreneurs to engineers and from crews to ports.”

The Lloyd's List annual awards recognise innovation in operations and business models, customer satisfaction and success in local and global markets. The Port of Tyne, where dry cargo tonnage volume has trebled in four years, was the highly popular winner in the Port Operator of the Year category, judged by a panel of experts comprising Doug Barrow, Chairman Maritime London, Philip Wake, Chief Executive Nautical Institute, Michael Grey Lloyds List, Costas Grammenos OBE DSc, Pro Vice Chancellor City University, Peter Bishop, Chief Executive London Chamber of Commerce and Michael Drayton, Chairman of the Baltic Exchange.

Keith Wilson is keen to point out: “Of course, our success would not be possible without the people of the port, every one of whom has worked with commitment and dedication to getting the job done. And it is these people who are ensuring that the Port of Tyne remains vibrant and sustainable for a long time to come.”

The Port of Tyne has more reason to celebrate as the Institute of Transport Management awards it European Port of the Year for the second year running, the first time this accolade has been given twice to the same port.

Keith adds “The Port of Tyne operates as a team and everyone has contributed in some way to this success; this double achievement is fantastic news, not only for the port but for the wider regional community which benefits from the economic contribution of the river and port authority.”

The Port of Tyne is a key player in the Tyne & Wear region; a dynamic trading hub with five business sectors comprising: conventional cargoes; supply chain services (container handling, warehousing, distribution, rail services); car terminals (Nissan and VW Group); International Passenger Terminal (cruise and ferries); and estates (68 commercial and manufacturing tenants, owner of 600 acres on the north and south side of the river Tyne). The Port of Tyne is one of the largest trust ports in the UK and is operated on a commercial basis.