A NORTH-EAST dock operator has continued its expansion after opening a new office.

PD Ports, which runs Teesport, has set up a project and commercial office in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Bosses say the site will complement its head office in Middlesbrough.

The company says the move will allow it to work more closely with businesses in the region that use Teesport.

Geoff Lippitt, PD ports’ business development director, said: “This helps us extend our presence in the North East.

“We hope that this site will enable local companies to enhance their supply chains by using our experience and knowledge, which has already enabled other North-East companies to deliver significant savings.”

Earlier this year, PD Ports revealed it was working with a company to strengthen its position in the offshore energy industry.

Subsea, a division of McDermott International, will operate a spool base at the Port of Hartlepool, to assemble long pipe stalks for pipe-laying oil and gas vessels.

Last year, PD Ports celebrated 50 years of Tees Dock, which replaced Middlesbrough Dock and was the first of its kind to be built in the UK after the Second World War.