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Truck and Track Spring 2019 60
PORTS
New London port gets go-ahead
The Port of Tilbury, the UK’s fastest growing port, has received
development consent from the Secretary of State for Transport
to build Tilbury2 – a new multimillion pound port terminal
adjacent to the current 930 acre site in Thurrock, on the
outskirts of Greater London.
With construction scheduled to commence in a matter of weeks,
the privately funded port, Tilbury2, will be built on a site covering
in excess of 150 acres, which was part of the location of the former
Tilbury Power Station. When operational in Spring 2020, Tilbury2
will be the UK’s largest unaccompanied ferry port and the country’s
biggest construction processing hub, with AEO-trusted trader
status.
Expansion is essential for the Port of Tilbury to cope with rising
demand for construction materials and aggregates from Britain’s
construction sector, imported and exported cars, as well as an
increase in commercial ferry traffic, which carries consumer goods,
perishables (food and drink) and steel between Europe and the UK.
Construction of the port, which will include a new rail and road
connection, deep water jetty and pontoon, will bring the project
cost to in excess of £200million. The tender process for a contractor
to complete this build has been completed and an announcement
will be made shortly.
Tilbury2 will comprise:
■■A roll on/roll off ferry terminal for importing and exporting
containers and trailers to northern Europe, in partnership with
P&O Ferries
■■A facility for importing, processing, manufacturing and
distributing construction materials
■■A strategic rail terminal which can accommodate the longest
freight trains of 775m
■■Storage areas for a variety of goods, including exported and
imported cars.
Tilbury2 is central to the Port of Tilbury’s £1billion investment
programme during 2012-20. Tilbury has doubled the size of its
business in the past 10 years and is projected to double the volume
of cargo across the quay (from 16 million to 32 million tonnes) and
increase direct employment (from 3,500 to 12,000 jobs) over the
next 10-15 years.
Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports Group (owner
of the Port of Tilbury), said: “This is great news for the UK at a time
when the country needs its ports more than ever before. Tilbury2
will deliver much needed port capacity to support businesses
importing and exporting to and from Europe and the rest of the
world. The terminal will be fit-for-purpose for the UK’s departure
from the European Union, utilising the latest technology and
streamlined border processes, in support of continued market
demand created by business growth.
“By 2020, £1billion will have been invested in Tilbury’s expansion
plans, including Tilbury2 and the 55-acre London Development
Park, with the full backing of our shareholders.”
Forth Ports Group receives planning consent for new port on the River Thames
Tilbury2 expansion
Indicative image of the new port
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