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History of Port
of Middlesbrough

Find out more about the 200 year history of Port of Middlesbrough.
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Find out more about the 200 year history of Port of Middlesbrough.

CONTACT US

Port of Middlesbrough

The Birthplace of Modern Middlesbrough

Port of Middlesbrough’s history can be traced back to 1830, when an extension of the Stockton & Darlington Railway opened to deliver coal from the Durham coalfields to the new coal export staiths in Middlesbrough. The port was in fact the birthplace of modern Middlesbrough.

This timeline highlights key events in Middlesbrough’s history that shaped the port and the local area. It covers some of the wider developments linked to and around the port including urban developments, river developments, celebrations in the town and the wars.

1800
1825
1830
1831
1842
1850
1862
1881
1911
1914-1918
1920s - 1930s
1939-1945
1945-1970's
1980
1980's-1990's
1995-2000's
2020s

Middlesbrough, a Small Hamlet

In stark contrast to the busy town centre that it would become over the century, Middlesbrough’s population in 1801 stood only at 25 people, centred around Middlesbrough Farmhouse.

Stockton & Darlington Railway Open

The world’s first publicly-owned, steam powered passenger railway opened to great fanfare between Stockton and Darlington in a ‘red letter’ day in world transport history.

Port Darlington is Born

The coal staiths at Port Darlington, on the site of AV Dawson’s present-day Port of Middlesbrough, were officially unveiled by the Stockton & Darlington Railway Company on 27 December 1830 with the opening of the Middlesbrough Branch Railway.

First Cargo Exported

The first cargo to be exported from Darlington was coal. It was transported to the staiths at Port Darlington and transferred to the steamship ‘Sunniside’. As trade increased, Middlesbrough became known as an important port.

Middlesbrough Dock Opened

As the coal export industry thrived it became apparent that the early staiths constructed at Port of Middlesbrough were insufficient to sustain the expanding enterprise and it was decided a dock would be better suited to the town’s needs.

'Ironopolis'- The Discovery of Iron Ore and the Birth of Middlesbrough's Iron Age

Within 20 years of the staiths opening in Middlesbrough, the town would be transformed from a dependence on coal export to one that would be defined by iron – following the discovery of iron ore in the Cleveland Hills.

Gladstone's 'Infant Hercules'

The Chancellor of the Exchequer William Gladstone visited Middlesbrough and famously described it as a “remarkable place-the youngest child – as I may call it – of England’s enterprise… an infant Hercules.”

Middlesbrough Jubilee Celebrations

Marking half a century since the official opening of the coal staiths-although celebrations were delayed one year due to economic turmoil in the iron industry – Middlesbrough marked its Jubilee with a range of celebrations.

The Tees Transporter Bridge opens

The iconic Tees Transporter Bridge was officially opened on 17 October 1911. It is one of only around 30 ever built and is the longest, operational transporter bridge in the world.

First World War

Middlesbrough and the industries along the River Tees played an important role in the First World War as the town and the numerous local works mobilised to support the country’s efforts.

The Interwar Years

The Interwar years proved to be challenging times along the River Tees with unstable economic conditions bringing closures and conflict in the area’s industries. Despite this, extensive investment was underway at Dents Wharf.

Second World War

As in the First World War, the industries along the River Tees played a central part in the area’s contribution to the war effort, with locally produced iron and steel being used to make military weapons and ammunition -this also made the area a target for air raid attacks.

Post-War Middlesbrough

One of the many changes occurring during the post-war era was the closure and contraction of many of the heavy industries along the south bank of the Tees at Middlesbrough as manufacturing – particularly of iron and steel – shifted downstream. Despite this, private sector investment and expansion continued at the port facilities in Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough 150th Anniversary Celebrations

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of modern Middlesbrough, a year-long programme of events and celebrations was arranged to take place throughout 1980.

Autonomy and Growth

The 1980s and 1990s heralded a new chapter and era of change for the River Tees. New opportunities were emerging in the oil and gas sector, resulting in investment in new port infrastructure in Middlesbrough. Changes in legislation also gave port operators and terminals more autonomy and independence.

Uniting to Protect the Community

The mid 1990s brought the Tees community together through infrastructure developments and the introduction of a new organisation. The Tees Barrage was built as a flood defence and to enhance the natural river environment upstream and create leisure opportunities resulting in it no longer being navigable to shipping. The Tees & Hartlepool Port Users Association (THPUA) was created to represent and protect the interests of the industrial river community

Port of Middlesbrough is Reborn

In September 2020, AV Dawson rebranded its facility as Port of Middlesbrough, giving a nod to the heritage of the site with a name that was first used almost 200 years earlier, while also positioning the business to deliver an exciting Port Masterplan to take the company forward.

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