London, UK: London Gateway, the new port and logistics centre project, will open in the fourth quarter of 2013 with an initial capacity of 1.6m TEU (twenty foot equivalent container units).
The port is set to become Europe’s largest logistics park on London’s doorstep, says DP World, the Dubai group behind the venture.
Construction work began near Thurrock, Essex, in January 2010 on the site of a former Shell oil refinery. When complete, it will be the largest deep-sea port in the UK. DP World expects to invest a further $1bn in London Gateway over the next three years.
London Gateway is set to become the premier UK logistics centre. Once complete, the new port and park facility will save UK business millions of pounds every year in land transport costs. An estimated 65m road freight miles every year will be saved, as many goods will no longer need to be transported from deep-sea ports to inland distribution centres. Instead, goods will be sent straight into the new London Gateway Logistics Park and then directly to shops and homes.
Simon Moore, chief executive of London Gateway said: “London Gateway will offer a unique proposition to British cargo owners. Importers and exporters will be provided greater choice and opportunity to take costs out of their supply chains and reduce their environmental impact.”
Business secretary Vince Cable, and shipping minister Mike Penning joined DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, vice chairman Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, chief executive Mohammed Sharaf and the rest of the DP World board at London Gateway today to mark the formal announcement and tour the site
DP World has award port equipment contracts for the port. ZPMC will provide eight quay cranes, the largest in the world, able to handle the next generation container vessels of 18,000 TEU capacity.
ZPMC will also provide rail mounted gantry cranes for the port’s rail terminal. Cargotec will provide automated stacking cranes and straddle carriers.
Mohammed Sharaf, chief executive, DP World, said: “London Gateway is a giant leap forward for the UK’s supply chains and will benefit our customers tremendously through more efficient transportation of goods; it will also support wider UK business and economic growth.
“London Gateway’s location is unique, bringing the world’s largest ships directly to Europe’s largest logistics park, providing long-term value for our customers and UK business.”
