Opening the gateway

The Chairman of DP World and Dubai World has become the first person to step on land created at the UK’s newest port and logistics development, London Gateway.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem has inspected the first section of reclaimed land as part a visit to see DP World’s newest development get underway. The dredge and reclamation programme is a key element in the £1.5 billion project at London Gateway.

London Gateway is currently one of the largest inward investments into the UK and is the single largest jobs creation project, which will create some 36,000 jobs when complete. The project will be a major positive contribution to UK business.

The deepening of the River Thames for the project will allow the world’s biggest trading vessels to once again deliver goods to the heart of the UK consumer market. This will save UK companies significant transportation and distribution costs as well as improving carbon footprints. Over 65 million freight miles will be saved every year and 140,000 tons of CO² emissions.

“Seeing new ground here at London Gateway is an excellent achievement for DP World and the London Gateway team,” said Sulayem. “I’m very pleased to be able to stand on the land where the world’s largest cargo ships will once again visit London and bring goods straight into the heart of the UK markets.”

“We are progressing with the project very well and we are on course to deliver an exceptional piece of infrastructure for the UK,” added Simon Moore, CEO of London Gateway.

The Logistics Park will offer over nine million sq feet for the distribution, manufacturing and high-tech sectors. The port, which will be one of the most automated and efficient in the world, will add an additional 3.5million TEU (twenty foot equivalent units) to the UK’s port capacity.