DP World is to begin construction of the long‑planned expansion of its London Gateway container port in May 2025, following regulatory approval of the project, the company has said. The scheme, carrying a stated investment value of £1bn, will extend the port’s handling and rail capacity as part of the Thames Freeport initiative.
The four‑year development will add two 400‑metre all‑electric berths capable of accommodating six of the world’s largest container ships, with the site set to deploy Europe’s tallest quay cranes to service the new deepwater positions. DP World described the berths as fully electric, reflecting a design brief aimed at reducing emissions from ship‑to‑shore operations.
Infrastructure and capacity
The enlargement is intended to increase the port’s handling scale and to accept a new generation of ultra‑large container vessels, with the new quays and cranes configured for the biggest ships currently in operation. DP World said the project included advanced quay equipment and shore power‑capable infrastructure to align with the berths’ all‑electric specification.
Rail and inland connections
A second rail terminal will be constructed to expand inland freight connections and improve the port’s throughput between sea and land, providing additional capacity for rail freight flows serving the Midlands and beyond. The rail element forms a central part of the scheme’s logistics proposition, with DP World presenting it as a complement to the new deepwater berths.
DP World said the expansion would create more than 1,000 construction jobs during the build phase and about 400 permanent port jobs on completion, noting the project’s local employment impact as a core benefit. The company linked the job figures directly to the scale of the construction and to the operational uplift expected once the terminal is fully commissioned.
Approvals for the development followed collaboration with Thurrock Council and the UK Government’s Marine Management Organisation, which together completed the regulatory clearances necessary to begin works. DP World stated that those permissions allowed the scheme to move from planning to construction, with preparatory activity expected ahead of the May 2025 start date.
The redevelopment is being advanced as part of the Thames Freeport and is intended to strengthen the port’s role in regional and international supply chains, with the new facilities addressing demand for larger berths and improved hinterland links. DP World described the investment as a significant capital commitment for London Gateway, reflecting long‑term expectations for container trade handled through the Thames estuary.