THE Port of Tyne is to extend its £2.25m warehouse, only opened in August 2002, after a successful management initiative.

Port of Tyne Logistics Services has drummed up extra business which has led to the size of the facility being doubled, making a total floor space of 11,288 sq m.

The extra space includes an additional 3,857 sq m area dedicated to marshalling. This will allow an additional 8,100 pallet spaces, taking the port's warehousing capacity to in excess of 32,000 pallet spaces.

The extension is due to be completed and fully functioning by the 31st July 2003.

An additional nine dock levellers will be installed to increase the cargo handling capacity, creating 13 in total. There will be six dock levellers built in the extension and an extra three added into the existing warehouse.

The additional cargo capacity will create a further 14 positions, including one supervisor, three administration staff and ten warehouse operatives. This increases the number of port employees to 384.

At 14 metres high, the extended warehouse has been designed to accommodate a VNA (very narrow aisle) racking system. The warehouse is connected to the Port's warehouse management system which controls packing.

The extension of port facilities is largely due to blue chip manufacturers taking advantage of the versatile complex situated at Tyne Dock, creating substantial demand for additional racked warehousing.

The port now offers a complete and integrated logistics package, which combines road, rail and sea access with extensive customs approved warehousing.

About £55m has been spent in the past seven years to create a first class facility with an in-house distribution arm, secure 5.5 -hectare container terminal with computerised tracking and EDI links, a fully integrated rail terminal and regular roro and container sailings to Europe and the UK, with deep-sea connections.