On October 14, global logistics giant DP World announced that it will invest 1 billion pounds (about 1.3 billion US dollars) to expand London Gateway, making it the largest container port in the United Kingdom within five years, thereby increasing the scale and resilience of international trade.

Dp World will increase the capacity of London's gateway port by building two new shipping berths, bringing the total number of berths at the port to six, capable of accommodating the world's largest container ships. The entire docklands area is more than 2.5 km long, can accommodate up to six vessels over 400 metres in length at the same time, and has the tallest dockside crane in Europe, which is the height of Big Ben Clock. The port will also add a second rail terminal to cope with the expected growth in container trade.

The expansion, which will create a further 400 new permanent jobs on top of 1,200 existing jobs at the site, is the culmination of the Thames Estuary Hub's rapid development programme, which opened in 2013 and has already been a catalyst for economic recovery in southern Essex.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: "DP World London Gateway will help the UK's future trade flows, connecting domestic exporters to global markets and providing vital supply chain resilience across the economy. I am proud of this significant investment, which demonstrates DP World's long-term commitment to the UK."

DP World has built Europe's largest logistics park, employing 1,500 people, to balance the logistics' golden triangle 'in the English Midlands. Tenants at the park enjoy storage, warehousing and distribution services linked to easy rail freight and motorway connections, as well as quick access to important consumer markets in London and the South East. Fast-track planning permission enables businesses to build new facilities on demand.

Ernst Schulze, DP World UK Ports and Terminals Chief Executive, said: "As this commitment demonstrates, London Gateway's location and transport infrastructure are ideally suited for expansion. The additional capacity brings reliability and supply chain resilience, which is important for our customers and consumers, especially in uncertain times such as the disruption caused by the pandemic and geopolitical events."

The expansion is expected to significantly increase the port's trade volume, which currently stands at nearly 2 million TEUs per year.

In addition to its hubs in Southampton and at the gateway to London, DP World offers logistics, freight and European transport capabilities, all of which will be integrated into the company's global network. Dp World operates in 78 countries and handles 10 per cent of global trade.