The UK’s fourth largest port won the Supply Chain Partnership Award, which is meant to recognize the company which best “brings the customer competitive advantage, specifically in the areas of reduced cost, improved reliability and flexibility”.

The other finalists were CitySprint, Allport, DAP UK, GKN Freight Services, NNR Global Logistics and NYK Logistics.

PD Ports was commended for designing and implementing a ‘portcentric logistics’ strategy which works by storing goods close to the port of import and distributing locally.

In addition, it was acknowledged for creating over 1,300 jobs and investing £150 million in the North East region during the last five years.

PD Ports also established Logical Link, its own feeder service from Felixstowe to Teesport for portcentric logistics customers.

In the first quarter of 2010, PD Ports reported 62 percent growth at its container terminals at Teesport, compared with the same period in 2009.

PD Ports’ feeder service has been recognized in the past by ASDA, which crowned it Outstanding Carrier of the Year 2010. The retailer calculated that the service had saved its George clothing range 1.3 million road miles a year.

The award ceremony is in its 14th year and was held this year at Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London.

IFW said the standard of entries improves every year.

Edited by Abigail Phillips