DP World boosts storage capacity with new £3m empty container facility at Southampton

DP World has opened an 11.5-acre empty containers park at Southampton to increase storage capacity and help keep customers supply chains moving during the peak pre-Christmas season.

The new facility will be able to hold additional empty containers to meet customers’ requirements, which the company said is a “critical factor” in keeping supply chains moving at a time when dwell times at terminals across the UK have increased.

Ernst Schulze, DP World UK chief executive, said: “The new £3m empty park is part of DP World’s ongoing £40m investment this year at Britain’s second largest container terminal – designed to take it up to the next level as a smart logistics hub – which will provide customers with speed, security, reliability and flexibility.

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“We now have 25% more storage capacity at Southampton than before which will enable us to maintain productivity and service levels for the vital next few months and beyond.”

He added that by operating two ports at Southampton and London Gateway, both of which have been awarded freeport status, volumes can be switched quickly between locations, to give customers more control over their supply chains and increasing security of supply for critical goods coming into the UK.

“No other logistics business can offer this level of flexibility and certainty,” he added.

DP World has seen a record volume of cargo was handled at its two UK ports, in the first half of 2021, with Southampton seeing throughput between January and June of 995,000 TEU, contributing to a combined UK total of 1,883,000 TEU.