THE first part of Thurrock's new port, Tilbury2, became operational today (Wednesday, 27 May).

After a year of construction, the first ship to use the unaccompanied freight roll on/roll off (ro-ro) terminal docked and unloaded. P&O's chartered freight ferry, the Norstream, was the first to use the terminal after trials were completed last week.

The bespoke terminal will import and export containers and trailers with supplies for the UK, including food, drink and medicines to and from continental Europe on P&O's busy Tilbury-Zeebrugge freight route.

The new ro-ro terminal is part of a £250 million investment by owner, Forth Ports, which is creating a brand-new port, Tilbury2.

The terminal embraces the latest booking and border technology, such as number plate recognition, which ensures that the terminal is Brexit-ready to continue the smooth passage of goods, regardless of the eventual EU-UK settlement.

Built on the site of the former Tilbury Power Station, when fully operational later this year, Tilbury2 will be the UK's largest unaccompanied freight ferry port, the country's biggest construction processing hub and will see the creation of a new significantly larger rail head which can accommodate the longest freight trains of 775 metres.

Symbol of Hope

Commenting on the opening, Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: "This is an important time for the UK as we emerge from the lockdown. Our new freight terminal is the country's most modern ferry port offering a seamless and lower carbon route to the biggest consumer market in Europe, Greater London.

"Despite the current challenges we have delivered a resilient terminal with significant headroom to grow as we pursue our vision of being the nation's strategic freight gateway to-and-from Europe. We believe that this terminal opening is a symbol of hope for economic recovery."

Maritime Minister, Kelly Tolhurst said: "Barely a year since getting the green light from my Department, the opening of the Tilbury2 unaccompanied ferry terminal really is a landmark moment for this major infrastructure project. It is a great testimony to all those who worked on the build that it has been finished and opened, despite the current challenges facing the maritime sector. The new terminal will provide more capacity and jobs at a vital time, when our world-leading ports will be at the forefront of the UK's economic recovery."

Paul Dale, Asset & Site Director at the Port of Tilbury, said: "The switch to a river berth provides significant growth opportunities. P&O can bring in larger vessels, deliver faster vessel turnaround times and – most importantly – get containers and trailers onto an inland barge or the motorway network in under an hour.

"While this enhanced offering will support further growth through the Zeebrugge route and the possibility to expand into other northern European locations, it also provides a critical low carbon delivery alternative through our new rail connection."

Janette Bell, Chief Executive of P&O Ferries, said: "After the successful ship trials just over a week ago at Tilbury2, P&O Ferries is delighted that the driver-free freight ferry terminal is operational. This terminal will significantly increase the speed of our services and improve access to the M25 for our customers who carry important consumer and industry goods, such as detergents and pharmaceuticals, building materials and fertiliser, wine and beer and cosmetics.

"We look forward to developing all of the opportunities this terminal has to offer for our customers."

Tilbury2 received development consent from the Secretary of State for Transport in February 2019. The £250m project consists of the construction of a new port terminal and associated facilities and once fully open, Tilbury2 will comprise:

â— A facility for importing, processing, manufacturing and distributing construction materials

â— Storage areas for a variety of goods, including exported and imported cars.