Port enjoys successful Christmas period (From The Advertiser Series)

Port of Sunderland sees rise in vessel numbers

6:00pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Business By Steven Hugill

A NORTH-EAST port enjoyed a busy Christmas period after more than 30 vessels used its docks.

Bosses at the Port of Sunderland welcomed more vessels in December compared to the previous year.

The results follow an 84 per cent rise in overall traffic year-on-year at the port.

The port was last year boosted when Nissan shipped vehicles from the facility for the first time since the Japanese car maker started production in the North-East 27 years ago.

Matthew Hunt, port director, said the council-run port was flourishing.

He said: “Last year was an exceptional year for us, and we now are seeing Sunderland as a prime location for offshore firms.

“The port is growing its reputation as a place for all kinds of vessels to use and we are very optimistic about 2013.”