During her visit, the Lord Mayor, climbed one of the world’s largest quay cranes to have an elevated view of the massive three square mile site, where work is underway for a Common User Facility and other proposed distribution centres.
The Right Honourable Fiona Woolf, said: “The Port of London has a vital role in this country’s great trading history. As the Admiral of the Port of London, I am proud to say that the opening of DP World London Gateway has secured London as an international shipping and trading hub for the 21st century.
“This is a fantastic inward investment that will reduce cost for UK businesses and bring many new jobs and benefits to supply chains by bringing goods closer to consumers.”
DP World Group CEO, Mohammed Sharaf, said: “We were delighted to have the Lord Mayor of the City of London visit us at DP World London Gateway to see first-hand our investment and the benefits of having a major port and logistics park on London’s door step.”
London Gateway CEO, Simon Moore said: “By bringing the port and distribution back to London and closer to consumers we are enabling supply chain savings and the eight million people in London will benefit.”
Located in the heart of the UK’s largest consumer market, DP World London Gateway reduces time, CO2 and fuel costs associated with moving goods from distant distribution centres.
Several shipping lines have taken advantage of DP World London Gateway during recent bad weather, with the port being less impacted by weather due to its sheltered location. It has taken eight unscheduled calls since Christmas, while other UK ports were face with delays and closures during high winds.
DP World London Gateway has a weekly call by the Southern Africa Europe Container service operated by MOL, Maersk, Safmarine and DAL.
Starting in May, Hamburg-Sud and Hapag-Lloyd will operate the South America East Coast service, a South America West Coast, Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand service and a North America West Coast, India, Pakistan and Middle East services from the port.