The Port of Blyth is celebrating 140 years of Trust Port Status.
As a result of huge growth in cargo transport, particularly in relation to coal, in the late 19th Century the company running the port at the time promoted a Bill to “constitute and incorporate Commissioners for the management of Blyth Harbour” on the basis of a trust, as operated on other North East coast rivers. The Bill received Royal Assent on 19th June 1882, constituting the birth of the current Blyth Harbour Commission and which as an initial task undertook the construction of South Harbour to accommodate expanding trade.
Chair of Blyth Harbour Commission, Geoff Hodgson, said: “It is a great honour to be serving on the board and indeed as Chair as we reach this important milestone. Despite a hugely successful past, with records set in the 1960’s for coal exports for example, in many ways the near future is set to be the most exciting period in the Port’s existence having firmly established ourselves as one of the UK’s leading offshore energy bases. Our key role in serving the renewables industry will provide many opportunities to encourage growth and investment into the town and Port to support our wide range of stakeholders for many years to come”.
Port of Blyth Chief Executive, Martin Lawlor, added: “This feels like a very appropriate time to be celebrating 140 years of Blyth Harbour Commission given that we achieved record financial results in 2021, whilst completing one major project at the Bates Clean Energy Terminal and launching another at the Energy Central Learning Hub, both of which are key to our short and medium term future. What’s more, we’re looking forward to working with our clients and customers on increasing important renewables projects and to welcoming the huge investments of Britishvolt and JDR Cable Systems to the estuary in the coming couple of years.”
