DP World completes £13m London Gateway hub

DP World and Thames Freeport have completed The Hive, a £13 million skills and innovation hub at London Gateway, designed to support logistics growth and create opportunities for local communities.

The three-storey facility sits at the centre of London Gateway’s Logistics Park and will provide specialist training, business collaboration space and employee amenities. It is expected to support around 1,125 trainees annually across the freeport through more than 100 days of industrial and employability skills programmes each year.

“As the London Gateway Logistics Hub continues to grow, we want to ensure the infrastructure around it grows too,” said Alan Holland, chief executive of DP World London Gateway Logistics Park.

“With The Hive now complete, we are creating a space where businesses can collaborate, employees can thrive and the local community can develop the skills needed to access new opportunities.”

Training facilities include crane driver simulators, working-at-height instruction and virtual reality technology to introduce people to careers in maritime and logistics. The building also features flexible meeting rooms, a double-height training and events space, a 100-person auditorium, a gym, an all-weather padel court and a multi-use sports pitch.

Stuart Rimmer, interim chief executive of Thames Freeport, said: “The completion of The Hive marks an important milestone for Thames Freeport and our partnership with DP World. This investment is about ensuring that the continued growth of London Gateway translates into real opportunities for local people and businesses.”

Construction began in October 2025. Built using British steel, The Hive has achieved BREEAM Outstanding certification and an EPC A+ rating, reflecting a focus on sustainability.

Partners will begin moving into and operating from the facility in November. SEATS, announced earlier this year as The Hive’s skills partner, will work with DP World, employers and regional partners to develop workforce skills.