The Port of Blyth (www.portofblyth.co.uk) has announced a new £12 million banking facility with Lloyds Bank to facilitate the next phase of its expansion.

Major investments will now be made in the terminal infrastructure, including the construction of new warehousing, strengthening quays and installing new cranes.

Having reported a second financial year with record figures last April, including a 17% increase in turnover, Blyth is one of the UK’s fastest-growing Trust Ports, driven largely by the continued development of activities related to offshore energy.

Chief executive Martin Lawlor said: “With major works at both our South Harbour and Wimbourne Quay terminals soon to be completed for clients from the offshore energy sector, we are now turning our attention to long-term projects elsewhere in the port that will generate both jobs and inward investment.

"We will shortly begin work to join our Bates and Wimbourne Quay terminals in order to offer clients a more flexible and future-proofed single terminal, while work to develop both our dry bulk handling and offshore decommissioning facilities at our Battleship Wharf terminal will follow.

"The construction of additional warehousing and engineering workshop space will provide exciting opportunities for both existing and potential clients.”

The Port of Blyth’s clients include Royal IHC, Global Marine Group and Deep Ocean, along with a significant cluster of offshore energy companies.

It also has an on-going partnership with Arch of Energy Central — one of the UK’s largest quayside offshore-energy development sites — and it is involved in offshore projects that include EDF’s demonstrator wind farm and the North Sea Link interconnector with Norway.