THE government has announced final approval for the Thames Freeport region which it says will unlock new high-quality jobs and much-needed investment across Thurrock and wider south Essex.

The boundary of the freeport, which comes with tax breaks and other financial incentives, includes DP World's London Gateway port, the Port of Tilbury and the proposed Thames Enterprise Park on the site of the former Coryton refinery.

The freeport won approval in principle from the government in March 2021 after a bid was lodged a month earlier. The project was given added impetus in November last year with the appointment of a CEO, Ruth Kelly.

Now the project has been rubber-stamped, paving the way for up to £25 million in government funding released to drive development and potentially hundreds of millions will be retained locally in business rates, rather than going into a central pot.

Charles Hammond at the Port of Tilbury.

Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of the Forth Ports Group (owner and operator of the Port of Tilbury), said: "This announcement is another major milestone for the Thames Freeport – we are officially open for business.

"Over the coming months, we will begin to see the green shoots of the freeport's land development, infrastructure projects, skills initiatives and innovation programmes take shape. 

"The appointment of a strong management team and board will boost the freeport activity and complement our business strategy, which is centred on accelerating growth in our low carbon logistics offering at the heart of Europe's biggest consumer market and the South East's industrial base.

"Freeports can be a real catalyst for change. To that end, we welcome the continued engagement from officials and ministers to refine the process and improve the policy."

One issue still to resolved will be the role Thurrock Council will play in the freeport's governance.

Cllr Mark Coxshall spoke about the new Thames Freeport in upbeat terms last December.

It was set to be a major player, with the council's leader, Cllr Mark Coxshall, talking about his role on the board only last December. However, since then government investigation into the council's financial affairs and management has prompted changes within its infrastructure.

And Cllr Coxshall still has to retain his seat in May's local election when it remains possible the ruling Conservative group could lose a significant number of seats and possibly even nominal control of the council - though all major decisions are already being managed by the commissioners brought in to rescue the authority after its financial collapse.

Nevertheless Cllr Coxshall remains upbeat about the Freeport and, following news of the final approval, said: "The approval for the Full Business Case for Thames Freeport will further unlock huge opportunities for the borough and beyond.

"It will create thousands more skilled jobs, world class training opportunities and bring cutting edge environmentally friendly industries right on our doorstep, with new public and private investment in the heart of Thurrock.

 "I am delighted that this ambitious project has achieved the final seal of approval and excited about the future of Thames Freeport and the prosperity it will bring to Thurrock."

Announcing final approval of the freeport Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said: "We're delivering on our mission to grow the economy and level up right across the UK.

"Thames Freeport is up and running and will bring high quality jobs, investment and trading opportunities for businesses in the region.

"Taking full advantage of the freedoms of leaving the EU, businesses in Freeports are offered generous tax incentives and a simplified customs procedure, unlocking much-needed investment and high-quality jobs."

To strengthen the board of the Freeport, three non-executive directors have been appointed to provide strong leadership, governance, and private and public expertise. 

The new Freeport non executive directors.

They are:

Paul Livingston, Chief Executive & Chair, Lockheed Martin UK, since April 2021. His global roles at Lockheed Martin have spanned operations, program management and business development.

Prof Matt Hamnett is an expert in strategy, policy and major programme delivery. He has worked for the Department for Education, in Capita's major deals team and as CEO of education group. Since founding consulting firm MH&A in 2018, he has advised public and private sector clients.

Joan MacNaughton CB HonFEI (Lady Jeffrey) has played an influential part in global energy and climate policy for twenty years at board level in government, business, the not-for-profit sector, and academia. She is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd and a Trustee of the Green Purposes Company. She sits the advisory boards of Equans UK, the Grantham Institute and Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis in the USA.

Thames Freeport estimates that it will generate over 12,000 new jobs, and as a gateway to London, its hubs are well placed to provide global shipping routes for exporting UK produced goods and importing vital products for supply chains.

The hub includes three tax sites located at:

• London Gateway – one of the world's fastest growing container ports, connecting over 130 ports and 65 countries and handling almost 2 million 20-foot containers annually
• Tilbury – London's major port, with a throughput of 16 million tonnes per annum with an estimated value of £8.7 billion
• Ford's Dagenham Engine Plant – London's largest manufacturing location for more than 90 years

Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive of DP World, that operates London Gateway port, said: "We very much welcome the news that final government approval has been granted to Thames Freeport. As well as further cementing London Gateway's Logistics Park as the UK's premier port-centric logistics solution, Thames Freeport will also create local jobs and help ensure that the UK continues to be an attractive destination for inward investment.

"DP World plans to make £1bn of investment into the UK over the next decade, including the £350m new fourth berth at London Gateway that is currently under construction.

"We will continue to look at options to enable the UK economy's global connectivity, create high-skilled jobs, invest in clean energy technologies, and support the development of local industry."