PLA and DP World look for ways to push London Gateway forward

Work on the 3.5m teu container terminal and logistics park development at the Shell Haven refinery site on the Thames had been due to start in the first quarter of this year, but in January DP World announced that all of its new developments and expansions were under review.

DP World is working to ensure the cost of the London Gateway project “is tailored to the world we are in now rather than six months ago”, said PLA chief executive Richard Everitt.

Detailed talks between the two parties have included the possibility of less dredging and the use of dynamic under keel clearance, he said. “Each cubic metre of material you take out costs money. It depends what tidal window you are prepared to work to – of course it has to be competitive.”

Despite all of the difficulties, there is a “real desire” to get going on the project, he added. “I think we all realise that this is only going to happen if we can find ways of doing things at minimal cost to get started. I think ways will be found – and I think the UK needs to find the ways.”