DP World moves ten millionth unit at London Gateway

DP World’s terminal at London Gateway has handled its ten millionth container, nine years after the logistics hub launched, the company announced this week.

DP World hailed the milestone as evidence of a “remarkable track record of growth” at London Gateway, which last year transported 1.8m TEU, an increase of almost 650% compared with its first full year of operation in 2014.

London Gateway handled a record one million TEU in six months between January and June.

The company is also predicting that a new £350m fourth berth will increase capacity by a third when it opens in 2024.

Ernst Schulze, UK chief executive of DP World, said: “After the disruption of recent years, shipping lines and cargo owners are looking for capacity, reliability and growth opportunities.

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“We are providing it, enabling customers to move goods smoothly and efficiently in and out of the UK and across their supply chains.

“Within a decade, London Gateway is likely to be handling up to 30% of the country's containerised trade. Its port-centric logistics park will be one of the largest in Europe, employing 12,000 people and underpinned by investment in a second rail terminal and a new fourth berth,” Schulze added.

DP World operates two deep water ports at London Gateway and Southampton with access to freight rail terminals.

DP World said its UK ports have seen an unprecedented volume of cargo in the first half of the year, with a combined total of 1,937,000 TEU when factoring in throughput at Southampton.

Over the next ten years DP World has earmarked a further £1bn of investment which it said will “act as a catalyst for the regeneration of some of the most deprived areas in the country”.