CONSTRUCTION work will begin in May on the latest expansion of DP World's London Gateway port on the Thames in Corringham.

The latest work, costing £1 billion, will take four years to complete and will add two further 400m-long all-electric berths and a second rail terminal at the port.

The new berths, taking the total to six, will make the facility the UK's largest container port

London Gateway will be able to accommodate six of the world's largest container ships, which will be served by Europe's tallest quay cranes.

Plans for expansion were announced by CEO and Group Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem at the UK Government's International Investment Summit in October 2024.

Yesterday he hosted UK Minister of State for Investment, Baroness Poppy Gustafsson, at London Gateway to announce a start date and to discuss the investment, growth plans, and 400 new permanent jobs that will be created at the logistics hub.

The Sultan said: "This investment enhances London Gateway's position at the heart of British trade, creating new capacity and new connections between the UK and the global economy. DP World has invested more than £5bn in its UK operations, providing more than 5,500 jobs, and is proud to be supporting national economic growth by enabling businesses to thrive and increasing resilience in the supply chain."

Baroness Gustafsson said: "The UK is open for business and DP World's major investment is the latest vote of confidence in our economy, delivering economic growth and showing our Plan for Change is working.

"DP World's expansion in London Gateway will turbocharge the UK's logistics sector and help deliver the long-term, stable growth that supports skilled jobs and raises living standards across the UK."

Thurrock Council leader Cllr John Kent said: "This is welcome news, not just in the creation of more jobs for local people, but also as a yardstick of the faith industry and commerce has in Thurrock.

"At a time when the future of local government is being reshaped, this investment and expansion is a timely indicator of how Thurrock will be an increasing powerhouse in the county and it will be a staple part of how we attempt to position the borough in the reorganisation of local administration.

"We will not be selling Thurrock short and this shows why that is the right stance to take. Thurrock has much to offer."

Gemini's Asia-Europe and Middle East-Europe service called at London Gateway for the first time in the past week.

Over 1,000 construction jobs will be created during the £1bn expansion, plus 400 permanent new jobs at the port.

Approvals for DP World's project were secured following close collaboration with officials at Thurrock Council and the UK Government's Marine Management Organisation.

The start of construction follows the agreement between DP World and the Gemini Cooperation (Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd) for Gemini's Asia-Europe and Middle East-Europe services to call at London Gateway, which saw the first ship arriving earlier this week.