Dubai is investing AED 2.1 bn into London Gateway expansion project

Dubai is investing AED 2.1 bn to expand the DP World-operated London Gateway, Dubai’s First Deputy Ruler Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said in a statement ahead of DP World’s launch of the port’s GDP 350 mn fourth berth later this month. Construction work on the London Gateway expansion project — which will handle around 55% of the UK’s South East cargo — was launched nearly two years ago.

Details: The fourth berth is slated to boost port handling capacity to 3.4 mn containers — up from 2.4 mn containers — by increasing the total berth length to 1.68k m, according to the statement. The project is set to position the London Gateway as the UK’s largest operational port, and the firm seeks to leverage the port’s additional handling capacity to connect with 130 ports worldwide.

It doesn’t stop there: DP World is looking to develop berths five, six, and seven at London Gateway, the statement said, without specifying the investment ticket or timeline. The move looks to meet the additional capacity needs expected in UK markets starting 2027.

Boosting trade: Dubai is looking to expand trade and logistics cooperation with the UK through the gateway, Maktoum explained. “DP World currently operates in 34 locations across the UK, employing 6k individuals — a figure set to double to 12k with the completion of the logistics park at London Gateway,” Maktoum said.

REMEMBER- The fourth berth at London Gateway is expected to be among the most sustainable ever built, with all-electric equipment. DP World invested GBP 12 mn in eight new straddle carriers for the berth over a year ago. The company’s Southampton logistics hub also switched to hydrotreated vegetable oil and has eliminated fossil diesel from its operations in order to cut carbon emissions from its fleet by 90%.