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London celebrates volume growth

10 Apr 2008

The Port of London handled over 50m tonnes for the seventh consecutive year in 2007, increasing volumes overall by 800,000 tonnes compared with 2006, Port of London Authority (PLA) chairman Simon Sherrard announced at the PLA’s annual reception.

Port Strategy: Tilbury's largest caller was a good omen for a record 2007
Tilbury's largest caller was a good omen for a record 2007

And in a year when London handled its largest ever containership – the 347 metres long, 42.9 metres wide Sovereign Maersk, with a nominal capacity of 8,050 teu, called at Tilbury Container Services (TCS) in August – container volumes broke through the 2m teu barrier for the first time. This reflected a very successful year for TCS, he said.

Mr Sherrard said the highlight of 2007 was the government’s approval of DP World’s London Gateway container port after a long wait. But he added: “I think the UK has been badly served by a government who have taken so long to make these important infrastructure decisions.  We are delighted that there is a planning Bill going through parliament at the moment that will speed up that process.”

He called on the government to introduce more clarity on how much ports would have to pay in “iniquitous” infrastructure charges in order to gain approval for major developments.

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Tilbury's largest caller was a good omen for a record 2007

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