DP World confirms £1bn London Gateway boost
DP World has confirmed it will be going ahead with a £1bn expansion of London Gateway to make it Britain’s largest container port within five years.
The investment looked in doubt after the UK government announced it would be strengthening seafarers’ rights partly in response to DP World-owned P&O Ferries’ sacking in 2022 of almost 800 workers.
The expansion will see the number of berths increase from four to six plus the addition of a second rail terminal, significantly increasing capacity at the port which currently handles nearly two million teu each year.
“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,” said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chair & chief executive at DP World.
“I am proud of this major investment which underlines DP World’s long-term commitment to the UK.”
DP World’s expansion at London Gateway will create 400 permanent jobs, adding to the existing 1,200 staff. This development is part of a growth plan for the Thames Estuary hub, which opened in 2013 and will bring total investment to over £3 billion.
Recent improvements include a £350 million fourth berth, the first at the site powered entirely by electricity, soon to accept its first ship.
DP World employs 5,500 workers across the UK and is a key player in logistics, managing a significant portion of imported containerized perishables at London Gateway and Southampton.
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