DP World has initiated the world's first all-electric berth at London Gateway, marking the arrival of its inaugural ships. This development introduces a fleet of electric vehicles and equipment, including Europe's largest quay cranes, straddle carriers, and automatic stacking cranes, setting a new standard for eco-friendly shipping facilities globally. The addition of the 430m berth is set to enhance the container port's trading capacity by over a third, offering improved global connectivity, reliability, and faster turnaround times for customer supply chains.
The berth's launch not only contributes to the expansion of London Gateway, which is a component of Thames Freeport but also aligns with DP World's vision to establish the UK's most voluminous container port in terms of trading volume within the next five years, further adding 200 permanent positions. Following a £1bn commitment announced at the UK Government's International Investment Summit for the construction of its fifth and sixth berths, DP World aims to bolster the port's capacity and its economic impact on the UK.
Ernst Schulze, DP World's CEO for Ports & Terminals in the UK, emphasized the significance of the new all-electric berth for the company's UK operations. With over £2bn already invested in London Gateway, the facility is poised to accommodate the largest current and future mega-ships, advancing towards a net-zero target by 2050. The berth complements the London Gateway Logistics Park, which boasts 9.25 million sq. ft of warehousing space, enhancing the port's end-to-end supply chain capabilities and its multimodal connectivity.
Source: Multimodal