PD Ports' Teesport is now AEO-certified

Photo: PD Ports

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has granted the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) quality mark to the Port of Teesports' customs controls and procedures.

Following a 12-month internal review process that culminated in an audit from the HMRC to ensure all port operational processes, IT, security, storage, procurement, and HR procedures met with EU requirements.

According to PD Ports, Teesport has become the first port to gain AEO status within the Northern Powerhouse, an initiative proposed by the 2010-15 coalition and the 2015-2017 Conservative governments to boost economic growth in the North of England.

"Gaining AEO accreditation reinforces the strength of our commitment to shippers currently using Teesport or looking to the Port as an integral part of their supply chain and is a solid vote of confidence in the high standard of our port operations," Frans Calje, CEO, PD Ports, commented.

He furthered, "This will deliver some distinct benefits to many of our AEO accredited customers including greater access to priority clearance of cargoes, reduced administration, traceability of flows of goods and improved security between supply chain partners. There is much focus, in the light of Brexit, on the customs clearance of goods. AEO accreditation puts us on the front foot in making the movement of cargoes through Teesport as simple as possible."

"Delivering high quality, consistent and sustainable service levels to our customers has been instrumental in our decision to gain AEO accreditation across other parts of our business including our short sea ports located on the Humber, logistics and transport operations as well as our freight forwarding and customs clearance activities," Calje ended.