ASCO, a leading global logistics and materials management provider, has appointed William “Bill” Draper as General Manager of its Teesworks operations, as the site prepares for its first steel delivery.
With over 34 years of experience working on the River Tees, Bill will manage the team at Steel River Quay, on the south bank of the River Tees. His role includes overseeing operations as the team prepares for the significant milestone of receiving the first steel delivery at Teesworks, the UK’s largest freeport and one of the largest in Europe.
The quay recently welcomed its first two vessels, which ASCO’s team supported with mobilisation and finalising deck spread for projects and stores deliveries. Once fully operational, the quay is initially expected to support the region’s offshore wind energy projects by handling up to 140 journeys per year.
ASCO secured the contract at Teesworks earlier in 2024, which involves planning, scheduling, and day-to-day operations, as well as providing stevedoring services. These efforts will be focused on the South Bank site, with access to the dedicated Steel River Quay, designed and developed to serve the offshore sector.
With immediate access to the River Tees and the North Sea, the 1km quay provides ASCO and other firms with 508 acres of development land, as well as unlocking the wider Teesworks site. The zone is primely positioned for renewable activity and projects on the North East coast.
ASCO’s work here is expected to create up to 65 local jobs, with employees based at ASCO’s existing facilities at the port.
Bill and his team are currently awaiting the first shipment of steel, which will be used at the new £850million monopile manufacturing facility.
The initial delivery will support the construction of monopiles for a major offshore wind farm off the Yorkshire coast. These monopiles will be manufactured at the facility at Teesworks. The site is set to handle substantial volumes of steel, with initial deliveries starting at 2,500 tonnes as part of a trial run before ramping up to an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes, eventually reaching 325,000 tonnes.
Commenting on his appointment, Bill said, “I’m excited to be part of the team bringing this critical project to life. With a career built on the River Tees, I understand the importance of this development to the region’s economy and its role in supporting the UK’s renewable energy goals.
“This is just the beginning for Teesworks. Over the next five to six years, we expect significant expansion, which will not only create jobs but also position the site as a key player in the growing and ambitious offshore wind sector.”
Mike Pettigrew, CEO of ASCO, said, “We are thrilled to have Bill lead our Teesworks operations at such an important time. His extensive knowledge of the River Tees and leadership experience make him the perfect choice to guide the team through the critical phase of launching operations at Steel River Quay.
“This, backed by ASCO’s wealth of experience in quayside operations and materials management makes us the ideal fit for operations here. The project is a critical part of ASCO’s strategy to diversify into renewable energy markets.
“By establishing a strong presence in the area, we are positioning ourselves at the forefront of the UK’s green energy movement and expanding our service offering in the offshore wind sector.”