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07.05.2008

Historic day for UK economy and ports

DO World Logo

London Gateway

The final seal of approval has been granted by the Government for the development of the UK's most advanced container port at London Gateway, which incorporates Europe's largest logistics park.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued a 'Harbour Empowerment Order' to London Gateway, which enables official and statutory powers to the new port.  Construction work will begin later this year on the 1,850 acre site, just 25 miles from central London, near Stanford-le-Hope, South Essex. 

More than £1.5 billion is being privately invested by London Gateway's owners, DP World, the fourth largest global marine terminal owner and operator.  The project is currently the largest capital investment initiative in the UK and will become the largest employment creation project in the country.

Mohammed Sharaf C.E.O for DP World said: "We are very pleased with the UK Government's approval of the Harbour Empowerment Order.  This represents a significant milestone for the project and will allow us to progress with the development."

London Gateway Chief Executive Simon Moore said: "This is an historic day for the shipping industry and the economy as a whole.  We will be the UK's first major port for more than 25 years.

"London Gateway will be a port-centric logistics platform of a size and scale unique in the UK.  Our customers will be able to cut costs from their supply chains, increase efficiency and reduce their environmental footprints." 

London Gateway will become a national hub port for the UK and will accommodate the world's largest container ships.  The port will be the most fully automated and efficient in the country, adding an additional 3.5million TEU (standard twenty foot equivalent cargo units (containers)) to the nation's port capacity.  This will help meet recognised demand for extra capacity in the UK.

In addition to a major deep sea facility, London Gateway port will combine with Europe's largest logistics park, offering 9.5 million square feet for distribution, manufacturing and high-tech sectors.  The logistics park will offer individual units in excess of 1million square feet.  By integrating the port and the logistics park, London Gateway will offer global brands the opportunity to move away from conventional distribution methods and benefit from more efficient and environmentally friendly ways of distributing goods. 

On London Gateway's concept, Simon comments: "In many ways, we are going back to our roots as a trading nation.  We will get the biggest ships in the world as close as we can to the UK's largest consumer market in combination with significant warehousing capacity.  This is precisely how the port of London used to work and was the foundation stone on which the city prospered.  This port-centric opportunity at London Gateway will take 2,000 trucks per day off our national road network."

Announcing the award, Jim Fitzpatrick, Shipping Minister at the Department for Transport, said: "I am delighted that today DP World will receive its Harbour Empowerment Order for the new London Gateway Port. 
 
"The Thames Gateway is one of the Government's priority growth areas and the total project will provide around 12,000 jobs for the local community.
 
"The order will mean that work can begin to build the first new deep sea port for many years and will provide much needed capacity for the UK's growing international trade in containers." 

Notes to Editors – London Gateway

  • The HEO creates London Gateway as an official Harbour Authority and the first new major port in England in more than 25 years.  It provides the official powers that allows the port to be developed
  • The HEO is a Statutory Instrument issued by the Department for Transport. Statutory Instruments are secondary pieces of legislation laid down by Parliament under the powers of the relevant Secretary of State
  • London Gateway will be a world-class facility and infrastructure asset for the UK, meeting an identified need for increased deep-sea capacity
  • London Gateway is a unique port/park development offering global business the opportunity to achieve supply chain efficiencies and gain competitive advantage in bringing goods to market and reducing cost/time/carbon
  • In total, London Gateway incorporates over 1,800 acres, this includes the port and park and areas for environmental mitigation

About DP World

  • DP World is one of the largest marine terminal operators in the world, with 43 terminals and 13 new developments across 28 countries.  Its dedicated, experienced and professional team of nearly 30,000 serves customers in some of the most dynamic economies in the world.
  • DP World aims to enhance customers' supply chain efficiency by effectively managing container, bulk and other terminal cargo.
  • The company constantly invests in terminal infrastructure, facilities and people, working closely with customers and business partners to provide quality services today and tomorrow, when and where customers need them.
  • In taking this customer-centric approach, DP World is building on the established relationships and superior level of service demonstrated at its flagship operations in Dubai - Port Rashid and Jebel Ali.  Jebel Ali has been voted "Best Seaport in the Middle East" for 13 consecutive years. DP World's international achievements were recognised in 2006, when Lloyd's List awarded it the prestigious Port Operator of the Year Award.
  • In 2007, DP World handled more than 43.3 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) across its portfolio from the Americas to Asia - an increase of 18% on 2006.  It has global capacity of more than 48 million TEU, which is set to increase significantly in coming years with a committed pipeline of expansion and development projects in key growth markets, including India, China and the Middle East. Capacity will rise to around 90 million TEU by 2017.

For further information contact Ben Copithorne or Paul Browne, Camargue on 020 76367366 

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