DP World's US$ 3 billion UK port and logistics park approved

Dubai-based port operator DP World has been granted approval to construct a UK£ 1.5 billion (US$ 3 billion) shipping port and logistics park along the River Thames estuary, London, UK, according to Arabian Business.

The London Gateway project, which DP World inherited following its acquisition of P&O in 2006, involves the development of a 728 ha form oil refinery in Essex into a deep-sea port and the biggest logistics park in the UK.

Final approval of the project follows a long battle to develop the site, including a public inquiry and a number of amendments to the original plans, in addition to measures to cope with extra road traffic.

Construction is scheduled to start later this year, following a ‘harbour empowerment order' from the UK's Department of Transport (DfT).

Plans for the site include a 2300 m long container quay, with a fully developed capacity of 3.5 million standard container units a year. In addition, the logistics park will cover 883000 m2 for the distribution, manufacturing and high-tech sectors.

Commenting on the approval, Simon Moore, chief executive, London Gateway, 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," he added.