UPS has opened a new sorting and delivery site at DP London Gateway.

The £120m site will create around 500 new jobs, and is thought to be one of the parcel carrier's largest infrastructure projects outside of the US.

The sortation facility contains more than four miles of conveyer belts and has the capacity to process more than 28,000 packages an hour.

The site forms part of a Europe-wide infrastructure boost from UPS, which is spending $2bn (£1.5bn) on its network across the continent.

Mark Vale, UPS president for the UK, Ireland and Nordics, said: “This state-of-the-art facility enables us to further improve our services to companies of all sizes that are looking to grow their cross-border business.

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“With strong growth in our export volume in the UK, which increased nearly 20% in 2017 and more than 15% in the first quarter of 2018, we are optimistic about the future.

“This key investment is tangible proof of UPS’s commitment to helping customers doing business in and with the UK.”

UK Transport minister Chris Grayling attended the opening of the new site.

He said: “The significant investment announced today by UPS is a strong vote of confidence in our country’s economic strength and our aspirations for the future.

“This new London Hub, bringing employment and investment in the South East, will further enhance our position as an outward-facing and dynamic trading nation.”