PD Ports Commercial Director, Graham Wall, Appointed UKWA Vice Chairman

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PD Ports Commercial Director, Graham Wall, Appointed UKWA Vice Chairman

[PD PORTS]

London, UK, United Kingdom (PressExposure) July 09, 2008 -- Graham Wall, Commercial Director of PD Ports’ rapidly expanding Teesport facility, has been appointed as the new Vice Chairman of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA). Graham will work closely with the Association’s current National Chairman, Derrick Potter, to effectively guide the UKWA throughout the year. In keeping with the UKWA’s tradition, Graham Wall will succeed Derrick Potter in 2009 as the UKWA’s National Chairman.

Graham Wall joined PD Ports in June 2006 as Commercial Director – Containers. Since his appointment he has been closely involved in working with retailers and industrial importers to secure alternative supply chain solutions using Northern UK ports in operation by PD Ports. In addition, Graham worked on the innovative supply chain concept known as Portcentric Logistics, which was pioneered by PD Ports. Graham has consistently played a pivotal role in the development of Teesport in line with the now approved Northern Gateway Container Terminal (NGCT) project.

After receiving the news of his appointment, Graham commented, “The UKWA has a long and proud history of valued, highly respected service. I am honoured and excited to be given this chance to contribute to the UK logistics industry’s most influential trade association.”

Founded in 1944, UKWA has over 600 members providing storage and third party logistics services, and represents the industry to both commerce and government.

Roger Williams, Chief Executive Officer of UKWA, said of Graham, “There are fewer and fewer good men and women who are prepared to give the time to help run trade associations, so we are delighted to be able to draw upon the services of someone of Graham’s calibre. I am sure he will be a tremendous asset to our organization. “

About Graham Wall: In March 2008, Graham was appointed as Group Commercial Director and is now leading on a number of projects which will give significant growth opportunity to PD Ports. Graham graduated in 1989 as a mechanical engineer with distinction and then began his career as a technical manager for Bulkhaul, an internationally renowned ISO Tank Container operator. During the course of his professional career, Graham has gained over 20 years experience, specialising in maritime transport and international supply chain solutions spending time with Nippon Riku-un Sangyo, Trencor and the Syrius Group.

About PD Ports:
• PD Ports Limited was formed following the successful takeover of PD Ports plc by Babcock and Brown Infrastructure (ASX: BBI) in February 2006.
• PD Ports is a high performing specialist ports business offering a wide variety of supply chain services to improve customers’ international product and material movements into and out of – as well as within – the UK.

• PD Ports employs over 1350 members of staff, and generates an annual turnover of over £130 million from 30 UK locations.

• PD Ports operates throughout the UK from bases at many key ports and logistics centres.

• The 3 business interests of PD Ports are:
o Port Operations– this includes:
- Teesport: one of the top 3 UK ports, with flows of containers, bulk traffics and finished cars, handling 50 million tonnes of throughput p.a.
- The Northern Gateway Container Terminal: a major new deep sea container terminal planned at Teesport on the South side of the River Tees. The £300+ million development will have a capacity of 1.5 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) and is anticipated to deliver over 5,500 jobs to the Tees Valley, opening in 2011. Please visit www.thenortherngateway.co.uk
- Portcentric Logistics: a new concept promoted by PD Ports for locating the storage and distribution of imported goods close to the point of arrival at a UK port. This concept avoids the slow handling and return of empty containers as well as eradicating unnecessary UK road mileage, which occurs when delivering to a traditional inland import centre, such as in the Midlands. In 2006 ASDA Wal*Mart opened a 350,000 sq ft import centre at Teesport and has saved more than 2 million road miles by adopting the portcentric concept. Tesco is also building a 1.2 sq ft import centre at Teesport to open in 2009.
- Humber & Small Ports: owners and/or operators of ports on the Humber estuary, Rivers Trent and Ouse, and at Medina Wharf, Isle of Wight. Service offerings include ship’s agency, chartering and stevedoring services.
- Logistics: PD Logistics offers warehousing and distribution services at 15 UK locations throughout the North East, Humberside & East Anglia, including at Felixstowe. Please visit www.pdlogistics.com
o Conservancy – this includes:
- Management of river traffic for the ports of Tees and Hartlepool, ensuring safe navigation and maintaining the required channel depth.
o Property– this includes:
- Revenue and income from property and facilities owned by PD Ports and used by third party clients on long term leases.
- Land that is not utilised for operational purposes and forms part of the potential for development.
- The redevelopment of part (133 hectares) of Hartlepool docks known as Victoria Harbour.