A Dutch shipping company is to make weekly runs to PD Teesport, on Teesside, from Felixstowe.

The connection means that Teesport will handle more cargo from deep sea shipping lines from the Far East and elsewhere. Feederlink BV will begin the service on April 7.

Ships will sail from Felixstowe, dock at Teesport and then go on to South Shields, South Tyneside, before returning to Felixstowe.

Harry Kleipas, managing director of Feederlink BV, said: "PD Teesport provides an excellent connection for our container feeder services and offers an important extension to our current portfolio of ports of call."

David Robinson, managing director of PD Teesport, said: "Starting the new weekly service is a strong reflection of the importance of Teesport as a major container gateway for the north of the UK. The new service by Feederlink further endorses the high service levels that PD Teesport provides to its customers.

"Teesport now offers UK shippers and retailers even more choices for connectivity to worldwide ports."

PD Ports was floated on the Alternative Investment Market in July last year and moved to the main London stock exchange in December.