Port and Logistics Group Records Record Highs Both Home and Abroad

UK – WORLDWIDE – Smiles all round at DP World this week as in the UK a record volume of cargo was handled at the company's two English ports in the first half of 2021, and previously the global group reported robust financial results for 2020, with revenue growing by 11% to $8,553 million.

Between January and June this year DP World’s smart logistics hub at London Gateway saw throughput of 888,000 TEU, a more than 23% increase on the previous H1 record set in 2020. At DP World Southampton, Britain’s second largest container terminal, throughput in the first six months of the year was 995,000 TEU, the second best first half ever, which contributed to a record combined UK total of 1,883,000 TEU.

The surge in performance was driven by the arrival of five new major international shipping services at the two terminals in addition to strong throughput from existing customers. Imports and exports through London Gateway and Southampton included automotive parts, white goods and household furniture, as consumers spent more on physical products during the pandemic.

DP World operates ports, terminals and logistics businesses on six continents but has made some serious investments in its UK operations in terms of both capacity and capability. London Gateway for example has grown literally from an empty brownfield site to the freight and logistics hub it is today in just a decade. Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive of DP World in the UK, said:

“These record H1 numbers for our UK business show that we have the capacity and capability to continue delivering first class services for all existing customers whilst also expanding customer choice by handling new sailings..We have invested in additional capacity and recruited more employees at London Gateway and earlier this year announced a £40 million programme of investment at Southampton, designed to provide customers with speed, security, reliability and flexibility.

”In addition, London Gateway and Southampton this year became the first deep-water ports in Britain capable of handling Freightliner’s new 775 metre intermodal container trains, which are the longest in use on the national rail network and generate significant cost and environmental benefits. DP World will continue to invest in the UK’s transport infrastructure and our absolute commitment to solving customers’ supply chain challenges is expected to drive further strong performance in our port-centric logistics business throughout 2021.”

Along with the Port of Tilbury and Ford’s Dagenham plant DP World London Gateway will form Thames Freeport after being awarded Freeport status by the Government earlier this year. DP World Southampton has also been awarded Freeport status as part of Solent Freeport, further cementing the critical role of both ports in the UK’s international trade.

Photo: London Gateway.