The return of commercial cargo trains, a multi-million-pound expansion, and soaring exports have left a North East port in ship-shape condition post-COVID. Port of Sunderland welcomed its first cargo freight train in two decades last year, as port chiefs and representatives from DB Cargo and Network Rail welcomed 21 wagons pulled by a Class 60 Engine.
The return of intermodal ship-to-rail cargo topped off what was an already stellar year for the municipally-owned port, having seen exports soar during the pandemic and plans steam for an ambitious multi-million-pound development project, in which swathes of land on the North Sea coast will be primed for investment.
Trinity Rail, Road & Sea
It is the last of three projects delivered at the port thanks to the backing of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership
The development, ‘Trinity Rail, Road & Sea’ will see an 11-acre site at the port transformed over the next few years to attract developers in the rail, manufacturing, port-related storage, and distribution, offshore operations, and maintenance industries.
It is the last of three projects delivered at the port thanks to the backing of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to the tune of £8.2million and – alongside the £1billion Nissan 36Zero EV Hub, comprising an Envision AESC Gigafactory and council-backed Microgrid; the £400million International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) and transformational Riverside Sunderland developments represents another internationally significant infrastructure project for the UK’s largest seaside city.
Attracting investors
Matthew Hunt, director of Port of Sunderland, said, “The port has undergone a programme of extensive infrastructure works over recent years, transforming it into a development-ready location, that is already proving increasingly attractive to investors from across the globe."
“This latest phase of work, which will ensure the right infrastructure is in place to attract investors to Trinity Rail, Road & Sea, is a vital step in ensuring the wider port estate is a highly investible proposition and will help us capitalise on the rising demand for prime industrial space on the North Sea coast, as we continue to rebuild the UK economy post-COVID.”
Business influx
The investment ensures the port is ready for developers seeking to get in on the city’s green economy
The continued investment into ensuring the port is shovel-ready for developers has led to an influx in businesses taking space at the hub over the past 18 months, specifically those seeking to get in early on the city’s rapidly growing green economy.
A report by the Social Market Foundation, released in 2021, ranked each UK city on its ability to capitalise on the nation’s shift to Net Zero, taking into account several factors, from workers with the skills required to fill the green jobs of the future to industry clusters and proximity to highly rated universities.
Green city
Sunderland, once the world’s largest shipbuilding city and home to Europe’s most productive car plant, was ranked second in the table, just behind Knowsley, and the city’s success in positioning itself as being primed to benefit from the green rush has piqued the interest of global investors, with energy giant Vitol backing Wastefront AS’ plans to develop a world-pioneering tyre recycling plant at the port; eco-friendly fertiliser manufacturer Brineflow opening a processing and storage hub and Norwegian recycling giant Quantafuel recently announcing plans to open a state-of-the-art plastic processing plant.
Urban regeneration
It’s no surprise that so many businesses are exploring the idea of north-shoring"
Hunt added, “Taking into account the development of Trinity Rail, Road & Sea, the city’s skilled workforce, and its strategic coastal location, it’s no surprise that so many businesses are exploring the idea of north-shoring and turning their heads towards Port of Sunderland."
“We have five world-class universities on our doorstep, one of the UK’s largest advanced manufacturing clusters and we are just a minute’s drive from a city centre undergoing the largest urban regeneration project in the country."
Growth in jobs and cargo freight
“As we look to a cleaner, greener future for the UK, green jobs will continue to play a key role in stimulating economic growth and we’re delighted with the work being done to ensure that Port of Sunderland and the wider city are best placed to capitalise on and drive this shift."
“There has been a real concerted drive from both the private and public sectors to stimulate investment in the city and the port in particular in recent years, with a huge programme of infrastructure, works to stimulate inward investment. We are now starting to see this bear fruit."
“We’re confident we will see more cargo freight move through the port in 2022, more work commencing on the development of Trinity Rail, Road & Sea, and more exports and imports as we continue to help the UK bounce back from the pandemic.”
