DP World announces £1bn expansion of London Gateway in south Essex

DP World have today announced that it will expand London Gateway, in Thurrock, to make it the UK’s largest container port within five years.

The expansion will see two new shipping berths built, increasing the total to six, and a second rail terminal added.

The company says this will increase the site’s capacity and resilience for international trade.

By the end of the decade, the site will be able to receive six vessels, each more than 400 metres long, and will have Europe’s tallest quay cranes.

The expansion will create 400 permanent jobs, adding to the 1,200 currently employed at the site.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive officer at DP World said: “DP World London Gateway will help make Britain’s trade flow in the future by connecting domestic exporters with global markets and delivering vital supply chain resilience for the whole economy.

“I am proud of this major investment which underlines DP World’s long-term commitment to the UK.”

The expansion will take the total investment by DP World at London Gateway to more than £3 billion.

The site was a former oil refinery and opened in 2013. It has since become one of the UK’s largest logistics hubs, with a £350 million fourth berth recently added.

Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive Officer for Ports & Terminals at DP World UK, said: “As this commitment demonstrates, London Gateway’s location and transport infrastructure are ideally placed for expansion.

“With extra capacity comes the reliability and supply chain resilience so important to our customers and consumers, especially in uncertain times such as the pandemic and disruption due to geopolitical events.”

Subject to planning approval and regulatory requirements, the expansion is expected to significantly increase the volume of trade at the port, which currently handles nearly two million TEU annually.

DP World plays a significant role in the UK economy, employing 5,500 workers across a wide portfolio of logistics services.

As well as owning London Gateway and operating Southampton’s container terminal, it is also a major logistics provider, offering customers bespoke services in warehousing, transport and port-centric logistics across a wide variety of sectors, such as automotive and perishables.

Three-quarters of imported containerised perishable goods are handled at London Gateway and its sister port in Southampton.

In addition to its hubs at Southampton and London Gateway, DP World’s offer includes logistics, forwarding and European transport capabilities, all of which are being integrated into the company’s global network.

Operating in 78 countries, DP World handles 10 per cent of world trade.