London Gateway berth will create 1,000 new jobs

DP World has started work to build a new fourth berth – a mooring spot which allows for the unloading and loading of cargo – at its flagship London Gateway port.

The £350m project is set for completion in 2024 and will lift London Gateway’s capacity by a third, giving it more room to handle the world’s largest vessels than any other port in the country.

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Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive of DP World, said: “I am delighted that we have taken the next step in delivery of the new fourth berth and made clear our commitment to investing in and regenerating the areas where we operate.

The new berth (Image: Image:)

“Over the next 10 years we have earmarked a further £1 billion of investment in this country.”

“The construction of the new fourth berth is creating 1,000 jobs and London Gateway’s rapidly growing logistics park will employ 12,000 people when it is completed in five years’ time.”

He added: “Our investment is a catalyst for the regeneration of one of the most deprived areas in the UK, which is currently in the top decile of deprivation.”

London Gateway has handled 10 million containers since it opened nine years ago.

The port has seen immense growth since then, with its total number of units moved last year up 650 per cent compared with its first full year of operation in 2014. 

Basildon and Essex County councillor Kerry Smith has called for councils to work together to improve the area’s roads ahead of the completion of the berth.

“This is brilliant news for the area and a massive opportunity to lead growth across the county.

“But now we need to take this opportunity to improve the roads around here, if we want to continue to attract these investments, we need better highway infrastructure.

He added: “The A13 isn’t up to scratch at the moment, and with the increased traffic from more units being moved to and from the port, we will need to act.”