The Emerald Duchess begins vital River Tees work after brief UK Docks stop

A MAJOR upgrade to Teesport’s sustainability credentials has arrived on the River Tees in the shape of the £23m dredger, Emerald Duchess.

At 71m long and with its brilliant green livery, the vessel is set to become an iconic sight on the River Tees.

And UK Docks was proud to ensure she was at her best, with Emerald Duchess entering dry dock briefly for a period of planned maintenance before taking up her duties. 

The Emerald Duchess in UK Docks Teesside’s dry dock

They are absolutely key duties too, with Emerald Duchess’s dredging abilities vital to keeping Teesport safe and accessible for the many thousands of vessels that enter the Tees each year.

The state-of-the-art, trailing suction hopper dredger can carry 2,500 tonnes and hold up to 2,000 cubic metres of dredged material.

The new attraction on the Tees marks a major investment by PD Ports into the economic and environmental sustainability of the river.

The brilliant green Emerald Duchess is set to become an eye-catching sight on the River Tees.

The vessel boasts an innovative intelligent power management system and is able to swap between power from a battery pack equivalent to 10 Tesla cars and fuel made from hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), also known as renewable diesel.

She has also been ‘future-proofed’ as part of PD Ports’ commitment to becoming the UK’s most sustainable port company.

It is also ready for future innovation, with hatches above the engine room that will allow power units to be swapped out for modern fuel cells as the technology matures, using methanol or ethanol fuel.

PD Ports chief executive officer, Frans Calje, said: “It is an honour to have welcomed the Emerald Duchess to the Tees to be officially recognised a British vessel, registered in Middlesbrough.

“The Emerald Duchess is a major investment for PD Ports and represents our commitment to the river and the wider responsibilities placed on us as Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of Tees and Hartlepool.

Defence and maritime leaders visit UK Docks to discuss regional investment, growth and development

SOUTH Shields MP, Emma Lewell, was guest of honour at UK Docks Marine Services headquarters on River Drive in a meeting aimed at boosting business across maritime and defence sectors .

Emma led and facilitated high-level discussions that brought together multiple agencies and organisations united by a desire to develop the area and drive the maritime sector forward.

South Shields MP, Emma Lewell, (in red jacket), along with UK Dock directors and key leaders in maritime and defence.

This was an important opportunity for UK Docks, with Managing Director Jonathan Wilson, Director Chris Wilson, Director Gary Wilson, Operations Director Stephen Lee, Business Development Director Ben Mason and Finance Director, John Armstrong all taking part.

As well as Emma, UK Docks welcomed Thomas Knowles, the Royal Navy Regional Commander for Northern England and the Isle of Man, Tom Chant MBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI),  Lesley Hawke MIEx (RTC/North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster NERDSC) and Susie Izumi, from the Office for Investment.

The meeting explored the role of the maritime and defence sectors in supporting regional prosperity, creating high-quality jobs and apprenticeships, and enhancing the North East’s position as a key hub for industrial and defence-related activity.

Discussions included the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), the UK Industrial Strategy, and opportunities to strengthen investment, skills development and economic growth across the North East region.

UK Docks business development director, Ben Mason, said: "The visit provided an opportunity for representatives from UK Docks, the Royal Navy, the Office for Investment (OfI), Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) and regional stakeholders to discuss current activities and opportunities within defence and the maritime sector.

"It was great to see the local MP doing such an excellent job in bringing everyone together.

Managing Director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “We were delighted to welcome such prestigious guests to River Drive, where we could showcase our headquarters in South Shields, plus our new 80,000 square foot facility further along River Drive, as well as our capabilities across the country and global reach.

“We are all working towards the same goal, wanting the UK maritime sector to reach its full potential and to grow and develop in a way which would be of huge benefit to the region.

“We’re all working hard and investing in this sector and when you’re able to get people from all the different organisations in the same room, exciting things happen.

“You learn about everyone’s expertise and knowledge and also what we all might achieve when we’re able to work together, all of us working together will be stronger than any one organisation working on its own.”

Pictured, left to right, are John Armstrong, Stephen Lee, Susie Izumi, Jonathan Wilson, Lesley Hawke MIEx, Emma Lewell, MP, Tom Chant MBE, Gary Wilson, Thomas Knowles and Ben Mason,

Former Rum Store set for new lease of life after fresh plans approved

GOSPORT Borough Council has approved fresh plans for UK Docks to regenerate the former Royal Navy Rum Store at Victoria Quay, part of the historic Royal Clarence Yard.

The council approval paves the way for the full regeneration of the huge, iconic building, which will breathe new life into it while preserving its historic character.

Ready to be revitalised - the iconic ex-Royal Navy Rum Store

UK Docks’ business development director, Ben Mason, said: “It’s great to have the plans approved so that we can now press on with the work which is already beginning to shape and move at pace in the wake of extensive enabling works being completed.

“The building is a significant heritage asset for Gosport, and it’s great that it’s going to return to being a productive space supporting the local economy.”

The Grade II-listed building has stood vacant for more than 30 years after suffering bomb damage during the Second World War and a roof collapse.

The original ex-Rum Store roof has been lost over time

UK Docks bought the wider site, on which the Rum Store sits, in 2019.

In a statement to the council’s planning committee, the company illustrated how the multi-million-pound regeneration scheme would create flexible commercial space, improve waterfront access, and encourage further investment in the area.

The proposals add to plans previously granted in 2025 but introduce an alternative layout.

This includes a new ground-floor unit for use as marine retail, which was not included in the earlier approval.

Central to the plans is the reconstruction of the lost second storey, designed to replicate the building’s original appearance.

Work will soon transform the dilapidated 19th century building into a huge community asset.

Other elements include commercial uses alongside wider regeneration works to make the building viable for modern operations while maintaining its heritage value.

The council made clear there was no viable option for the building to be converted into residential use due to its location within the industrial marine site, which is something UK Docks has always accepted.

Speaking at the planning meeting, Coun Kirsten Bradley, Independent, Lee East, welcomed the decision, according to the Portsmouth News.

She said: “It’s great to see an improvement to a listed building that is being brought back to life. We have waited a long time to see that area thrive.”

The Rum Store has formed part of Gosport’s successful Levelling Up bid, with a share of the £18m awarded in November 2023 earmarked for its restoration.

The heritage body The Georgian Group has backed the plans, describing them as positive.

The Group has asked for proper records to be made of any historic fabric lost during redevelopment due to the building’s complex history.

The plans were voted for approval unanimously by councillors.

Heritage restored at Arbeia Roman Fort thanks to UK Docks staff

ANCIENT stones have pride of place at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort again, thanks to help from staff at UK Docks Marine Services.

A team of volunteers from the national company, headquartered at River Drive in South Shields, descended upon the fort in one of their regular visits to support the historic tourist attraction.

The UK Docks team with the remodelled Stone Park at Arbeia

Alex Croom, keeper of archaeology at the site, set them to work on restoring the setting of some of the most evocative stone relics found on site.

She said: “ We have dozens of distinctive stones recovered from the grounds over the years which we used to display in a gravelled setting near the picnic area..

“That area had become very overgrown over time and we also wanted to display the stones in a better way, which is where UK Docks came in.”

Putting their back into it! The UK Docks hard at it, clearing the overgrown site.

The stones are survivors from the days when the Roman Empire ruled over the land more than 1,600 years ago and the Fort stationed troops and served as a granary for the region.

They consist mainly of stones with holes in them and stones with chamfered edges but there are also troughs, drains, columns, pier bases, basins and more.

Stone Park - a walk back through ancient history

Alex, who is keeper of archaeology for South and North Tyneside for North East Museums, explained: “We suspect that most, if not all, of the stones with holes in them were probably post stones, used for doorways to fix doors.

“The stone with chamfered edges - some on three or four sides - would have been used on the top of the fort’s crenellations, the battlements, which helped to stop rain getting into the stonework.

“There were a huge number of granaries at Arbeia, and some of the stones would have been part of stone buttresses which supported the weight of the building and formed part of slopes to avoid rain.”

Keeper of archaeology, Alex Croom, delighted with UK Docks’ work

The team from UK Docks cleared the gravelled area of weeds and growth, rearranged the stones into formations and gathered the chamfered stones and the stones with holes into separate areas of the stone park.

Alex said: “It was great to have them here.

“I could have attempted the work myself but it would probably have taken several weeks, doing it bit by bit, but they turned up and did the whole thing in a day before moving on to help with the outlines of the fort itself.

“It helps that they know each other well and can work as a team to get work done efficiently and effectively.

Some of the UK Docks team relaxing after completing the weeding and heavy lifting at Arbeia.

“Now we have a newly restored attraction near the site’s picnic area which will be a talking point for visitors while they enjoy their break.”
In recent years, UK Docks has done numerous community works, including beach cleans near their offices at Sandhaven beach, but the trips to Arbeia have turned into regular visits, and each time they go to the former fort, they look to accomplish specific tasks.

Emma Bryon, UK Docks office manager, who co-ordinated the trip, said: “We really enjoy our trips to Arbeia and we always come back to the office with a sense of satisfaction at having contributed something worthwhile.

UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “It’s always good to get feedback like this for the volunteer work our team carries out.

“We are a family-run company, deeply rooted in the local community, and as part of that we take our social values and contribution to the local community seriously as an important part of our company values.”

Shawn Doering and Cameron Dunbar enjoy a light moment during a break in the heavy work

• Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort is open to the general public until Sunday, September 27th, from 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays, 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 1 pm to 4 pm on Sunday. Entry to the Baring Street site is completely free. For more information visit: https://www.northeastmuseums.org.uk/arbeia or call 0191 277 1409.