London Gateway To Become UK’s Largest Container Port With £1 Billion Investment

DP World, the leading logistics provider, has revealed a £1 billion (US $1.3 billion) expansion plan for its London Gateway port in England, making it the largest container port in the UK within five years.

The expansion aims to increase the capacity of the UK to handle international trade and improve supply chains.

The project will add two more berths to the port, increasing the total to six and allowing it to handle the world’s largest container ships.

A second rail terminal will also be built to handle the increase in goods flowing through the port.

Once completed, the 2.5-kilometer-long quayside will be able to dock six vessels at once, each more than 400 meters long. The port will also be equipped with the tallest quay cranes in Europe, as high as Big Ben.

The expansion will generate 400 new permanent jobs in addition to the 1,200 already employed there. Since its opening in 2013, London Gateway has been an important part of the regeneration of the local economy in South Essex.

DP World has invested over £3 billion in London Gateway with its latest investment.

This comes after the recent completion of a £350 million fourth berth, which is entirely powered by electricity and will soon welcome its first ship.

The Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, expressed pride in the investment, stating that it will improve the UK’s global trade connections and supply chains.

Meanwhile, Ernst Schulze, CEO of DP World UK, discussed the strategic importance of London Gateway’s location and its growing ability to handle trade even in uncertain times.

The London Gateway handles nearly 2 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually, but the expansion will allow for a much larger trade volume.

DP World employs over 5,500 people in logistics across the country.

Apart from the container terminal at Southampton and London Gateway, the company provides other services like transport and warehousing.

Its UK operations are part of DP World’s global network, which spans 78 countries and handles around 10% of global trade.

Reference: DP World

London Gateway To Become UK’s Largest Container Port With £1 Billion Investment appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News