DP World has announced a £1 billion expansion of London Gateway in Thurrock, Essex, setting its sights on transforming the site into the UK's largest container port within the next five years.

The ambitious development will include the construction of two new shipping berths, bringing the total to six, as well as a second rail terminal. This expansion is expected to create 400 permanent jobs, adding to the 1,200 already employed at the site, and significantly boost the port's capacity to handle international trade.
According to DP World, the project marks a key milestone in the rapid growth of the Thames Estuary hub, which first opened in 2013. Over the past decade, London Gateway has played a pivotal role in the economic regeneration of South Essex.
Once completed, the expansion will bring DP World’s total investment in London Gateway to more than £3 billion. The site, a former oil refinery, has been transformed into one of the UK’s largest and most vital logistics hubs.
In the latest phase of development, the company recently unveiled a £350 million fourth berth – the first in the UK to be powered entirely by electricity – which is set to welcome its first vessel shortly. By the end of the decade, London Gateway’s quayside, stretching over 2.5 kilometres, will be capable of simultaneously accommodating six vessels, each exceeding 400 metres in length.
Pending planning approval and regulatory requirements, the expansion is expected to significantly increase the volume of trade flowing through the port, which currently handles nearly two million containers annually.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, said: “DP World London Gateway will help make Britain’s trade flow in the future by connecting domestic exporters with global markets and delivering vital supply chain resilience for the whole economy. I am proud of this major investment which underlines DP World’s long-term commitment to the UK.”
Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive Officer for Ports and Terminals at DP World UK, added: “As this commitment demonstrates, London Gateway’s location and transport infrastructure are ideally placed for expansion. With extra capacity comes the reliability and supply chain resilience so important to our customers and consumers, especially in uncertain times such as the pandemic and disruption due to geopolitical events.”
This significant investment by DP World reinforces its strategic role in ensuring the UK’s position as a global trade leader while enhancing the resilience of supply chains during turbulent times.
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