International Transport Journal — 2026-09-03
Maritime and Ports
PD Ports has recently recorded one of the largest arrivals of automobiles at Teesport in recent years. A cargo ship brought 5,000 vehicles from China, which are part of a significant import deal for the British market. The delivery includes models from Chery Automotive’s portfolio, including the brands Jaecoo and Chery, as well as the first 1,300 Lepas plug-in hybrid vehicles being imported into the United Kingdom.
Teesport as a strategic transshipment hub
The arrival of the ship highlights Teesport’s ability to handle large volumes of automobiles and solidifies its position as a strategic gateway for vehicle distribution in northern England and beyond. The port facilities at Teesport offer deep-water access, specialized storage areas, and established handling expertise that enable support for vehicle manufacturers and importers in gaining quick access to the British markets.
Teesport benefits from strong transport connections to the A19 and A1 motorways, as well as key links across the Pennines, ensuring efficient connectivity to dealer networks and consumers nationwide. This arrival builds on Teesport’s long-standing experience in automotive logistics. PD Ports has handled vehicle imports for various major manufacturers over several decades, managing more than 100,000 vehicles annually through the port at peak times.
Recent investments in storage facilities and security infrastructure, complemented by 24/7 security monitoring by the port police and security teams, ensure safe and efficient storage and management of the vehicles.
Paul Foreman, CEO of PD Ports, stated:
“This ship arrival is a significant step for Teesport and demonstrates the important role the port can play in supporting automotive supply chains in the United Kingdom. Handling 5,000 vehicles from a single ship highlights both the scale of our infrastructure and the expertise of our teams.”
Catherine Zhu, Logistics Director of Omoda & Jaecoo & Chery UK, added:
“The opening of this route to Teesport is strategically important for our operations in the United Kingdom. It will help reduce congestion at southern and western ports, significantly improve the efficiency of deliveries to our dealer networks in northern England, and provide robust logistical support for our future manufacturing ambitions in the United Kingdom.”
Teesport offers lock-free access to the North Sea and has deep-water berths capable of accommodating large vehicle carriers, as well as an established RoRo infrastructure. The recent ship arrival strengthens Teesport’s position as a strategic gateway and supports manufacturers looking to serve growing consumer markets in northern England, Scotland, and across the United Kingdom.