As the Statutory Port Authority of the River Tees, PD Ports ensures the safety and navigability of the river, overseeing a 12-mile jurisdiction to the Tees estuary and holding legal responsibility for guaranteeing safe navigation for all vessels.
PD Ports, a leading UK ports and logistics company, announced today that Pontegadea Inversiones, the investment and asset management holding company of Amancio Ortega, has agreed to acquire a 49% stake in the company from Brookfield Asset Management, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals. Brookfield will retain its investment in the company and, as a long-term shareholder, will work closely with Pontegadea to drive the continued growth of PD Ports.
PD Ports contributes £1.4 billion annually to the Teesside economy, supports 22,000 supply chain jobs, and directly employs over 1,400 people across 11 port facilities throughout the UK. These include Teesport and Hartlepool in the north, several sites in and around the Humber River, as well as Felixstowe, Thames, and the Isle of Wight in the south. PD Ports is also the statutory port authority for the River Tees.
As the Statutory Harbour Authority, PD Ports is legally responsible for maintaining the river and ensuring the safety of all vessels navigating the Tees, thereby supporting economic growth and building a legacy for future generations.
Frans Calje, Chief Executive Officer of PD Ports, stated:
“This agreement marks a bold new chapter for PD Ports, reinforcing our proud history and setting a clear course for the future. We look forward to working with our new shareholder to continue growing our business. PD Ports’ ability to attract a high-quality investor is a strong endorsement of the company, our people, and our long-term vision. While we have successful operations across the UK—including Groveport, Felixstowe, and the Isle of Wight—we are firmly rooted in Teesside and will continue to make targeted investments in our facilities and operations both here and throughout the country.”
Pontegadea is a leading investment firm with globally diversified assets across real estate, retail, energy transition, and infrastructure. This acquisition is part of Pontegadea’s global investment diversification strategy and reinforces its commitment to investing in innovative infrastructure alongside strong, internationally respected partners. Pontegadea has extensive experience working with large companies, with holdings in firms such as Inditex, Enagás, REN, Redeia, and Q-Park.
