An unaccompanied freight ro-ro terminal has opened for business as part of a new GB£250m port terminal in the UK.
Tilbury2’s GB£200m 500,000-unit ferry terminal at Forth Ports' Port of Tilbury will operate in exclusive partnership with P&O Ferries. Utilising a truck driver-free operation, it will import and export containers and trailers with vital supplies for the UK, including food, drink and medicines to and from continental Europe on P&O’s Tilbury-Zeebrugge freight route.
Development consent for Tilbury2, part of the Port of Tilbury’s GB£1bn investment programme during 2012-20, was received in February 2019. The development is being built adjacent to the Port of Tilbury's 930-acre site in Thurrock, Greater London,
Paul Dale, asset and site director at the Port of Tilbury, said: “The switch to a river berth provides significant growth opportunities. P&O can bring in larger vessels, deliver faster vessel turnaround times and – most importantly – get containers and trailers onto an inland barge or the motorway network in under an hour. While this enhanced offering will support further growth through the Zeebrugge route and the possibility to expand into other northern European locations, it also provides a critical low carbon delivery alternative through our new rail connection.”
The marine works for the ro-ro terminal were completed in April by GRAHAM, which is also undertaking land side work. Marine works included constructing a floating pontoon, link-span/articulated bridge, pilings and riverbed preparation for the berth.
Successful ship trials were carried out on 17 May with the Bore Song and Norstream P&O ferries.
In addition to the ro-ro ferry terminal, Tilbury2 will include a facility for importing, processing, manufacturing and distributing construction materials; a strategic rail terminal which can accommodate freight trains of 775m; and storage areas for a variety of goods, including exported and imported cars.
