Multimodal freight logistics and port operator AV Dawson has announced a £5 million investment in a new dry bulk rail terminal at the Port of Middlesbrough.
The facility will increase unloading speeds by 40% to 500 tonnes per hour, significantly increasing capacity and improving overall operational efficiency. The terminal will also feature five rail lines, with additional rail sidings to feed rail wagons into the new unloading pit and conveyor system.
The family-run business, which owns and operates the Port of Middlesbrough on the River Tees, is expanding its multimodal logistics hub by developing its fifth rail terminal to unlock valuable supply chain opportunities for North East freight businesses, enabling them to engage more easily with national and international clients.
Specifically for the dry bulk market, the new facility will expand the company’s rail freight capabilities, the new facility will expand the company’s rail freight capabilities, increasing capacity for customers and supporting the efficient movement of freight by road, rail, and sea. With direct access to the East Coast Main Line and key road links via the A19 and A1, the site offers excellent connectivity. The rail network also provides a direct connection to the port’s quayside operations, enabling seamless rail-to-port transhipment supporting both UK and international trade.
AV Dawson has made its latest investment to enable innovation in its 120-acre Middlesbrough-based logistics hub and provide efficient, sustainable solutions for its customers.
Charlie Nettle, the company’s group managing director, said: “For more than 85 years, we’ve invested in Teesside, continually evolving to meet our customers’ changing needs. This latest investment reflects our confidence in the region, our people and the future growth of rail logistics.
“Our fifth rail terminal strengthens our multimodal offering by expanding our presence in the dry bulk market and reinforces our commitment to delivering integrated logistics solutions across rail, land, and sea.”
The project is being delivered alongside two other family-run businesses, Seymour Construction from Hartlepool and Atherton Material Handling. Construction includes a new unloading pit, rail line, bespoke conveyor system, and dedicated storage warehouse. A new concrete loading pad will provide customers with both indoor and outdoor storage options.
Charlie continued: “Rail has a vital role to play in the future of UK freight, and with the Government setting ambitious targets to increase rail freight by 75% by 2050, investments like this are key to enable this.
“With rail producing around 74% less carbon than road freight, we work closely with customers to help them reduce both emissions and costs through greater use of rail, while combining it with our own road haulage fleet to deliver seamless, integrated logistics solutions”.
The terminal will support the handling of commodities including fertilisers, aggregates, salt, industrial minerals, steelmaking raw materials and energy products, further expanding the Port of Middlesbrough’s capabilities for UK manufacturers, importers, and exporters. The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
Image credit: AV Dawson