Government gives green light for "Super Port"

The government has given final approval to the proposed £1.5 billion London Gateway Port at Shellhaven, Thurrock, in the Thames estuary.

The decision was made as port promoters P&O - owned by DP World - and local authorities reached agreements over mitigating the impacts of the development on the area, particularly its highway network.

When fully developed, the port will comprise up to seven container vessel berths and a ro-ro facility along 2.7 km of quayside on the site of a former Shell oil refinery. In addition, the Department for Communities and Local Government has granted planning permission for an adjacent logistics centre and business park.

'Commenting on the news, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman DP World, said: “This is important news and we are very pleased with the UK Government’s decision. DP World is planning to invest approximately £1.5billion to develop London Gateway over a 10 to 15 year time frame. This is the single biggest investment project for DP World. It represents our long-term commitment to bringing benefits and value to our customers and to the UK economy.”

Transport Minister Gillian Merron said on Wednesday: "London Gateway will be able to provide much needed capacity for handling the UK's growing international trade in containers."This substantial development has the potential to provide many new jobs in the Thames Gateway Growth Area - already one of the Government's priority growth areas in England - including a possible 1,900 jobs which the promoters (P&O) forecast for the port alone."