DP World Smashes UK Container Record

DP World has set a new handling record at London Gateway, surpassing three million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) in 2025, thanks to the newly operational fourth berth and the addition of vessel calls by the Gemini Cooperation’s Asia-Europe routes.

The three million milestone means London Gateway’s port saw growth of more than 52%, having achieved 1.9 million TEU in 2024, as it stays on track to become Britain’s most important container port.

DP World also saw growth at its Southampton terminal, which topped two million TEU, taking the company’s UK container total to more than five million in a national market totalling more than nine million TEU.

Construction is underway at London Gateway on two further all-electric berths in a £1bn investment that will take the total to six berths able to handle the world’s largest container ships. A second newly constructed rail terminal at the site started operations in 2025, while the site will also see the construction of a new BOXBAY container handling system in a £170m investment over the next two years.

Stephen Whittingham, Executive Vice President – North Europe, DP World, said: “Every container that moves through our terminals at London Gateway and Southampton is moving goods that underpin British business and daily life, from food on our shelves to products keeping manufacturers and high streets running. Our UK infrastructure plays a critical role in keeping these supply chains running quickly and efficiently, especially during the busiest times of the year.

“Surpassing five million TEUs at our UK terminals demonstrates how investment in capacity, technology and resilience is allowing DP World to move goods more reliably, sustainably and efficiently from ship to shop, continuing to raise the standard for end to end logistics.”

In further investment in its UK operations, DP World Southampton is scheduled to receive the first of its new quay cranes later this year, which will form the tallest quay crane fleet in Europe, as part of a £60m investment to future-proof operations at the Solent terminal.

Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, DP World operates across more than 75 countries, enabling over 9% of global containerised trade.