UK Docks Marine Services takes over former Smith’s dockyards on Tees
The new lease will add two drydocks (Source: UK Docks Marine Services)
UK Docks Marine Services has signed a long-term lease with PD Ports for one 175m x 22m and one 120m x 17m, drydock, bringing the entire former Smith’s dockyard site under its control, and trebling UK Docks’ area on the UK River Tees. The site previously belonged to Smith’s Dockyards, which closed in 1987.
The newly leased area also incorporates 200m of additional quay space, and fabrication and engineering workshop facilities. As well as hiring new staff, UK Docks plans to upgrade and renovate the facilities.
The company plans to support the offshore wind industry in the UK, as well as offshore support vessels, dredgers and survey vessels.
“We are delighted to have taken over the site and look forward to redeveloping it and restoring it to a functional facility again,” said Jonathan Wilson, UK Docks’ managing director. “We see a lot of potential and possibilities in the site and have a five-year plan to maximise it as an asset. Work will start immediately bringing it back to life … we plan to have both sites working in harmony with each other to the benefit of our customers.”
