CONSTRUCTION has officially begun on a new all-electric fourth berth at London Gateway port near Corringham with its operators saying it will help 'lift the borough out of deprivation'.

Port owners DP World say the new berth and expanded port will help support growth and prosperity in the local community and will create 1,000 new jobs.

On completion in 2024 the new berth will lift London Gateway's capacity by a third

The compnay has produced a short video, championing its work in regenerating Thurrock and the Thames estuary:

Ernst Schulze, UK chief executive of DP World, said: "I am delighted that we have taken the next step in delivery of the new fourth berth and made clear our commitment to investing in and regenerating the areas where we operate.

"Over the next 10 years we have earmarked a further £1 billion of investment in this country."

"The construction of the new fourth berth is creating 1,000 jobs and London Gateway's rapidly growing logistics park will employ 12,000 people when it is completed in five years' time.

"Our investment is a catalyst for the regeneration of one of the most deprived areas in the UK, which is currently in the top decile of deprivation."

Seamus Devlin, McLaughlin & Harvey Civil Engineering Director, added "We are delighted to have been awarded the contract with DP World and to begin delivering this vital piece of national infrastructure. We bring with us extensive experience in the marine sector, and look forward to engaging with our local supply chain and creating jobs locally."

In a record for the port, DP World announced in July that London Gateway handled more than one million containers in six months between January and June and earlier this month said it had just handled its ten millionth container since the port opened,

DP World has produced a short film about its hopes for the port: