London Gateway expansion - which includes second rail terminal - to start this spring

Construction work to expand London Gateway and establish it as the UK’s largest container port will begin in May, following regulatory approval for a £1 billion investment by its owner, DP World.

The ambitious project will add a second rail terminal and two all- electric berths, and create over 400 new permanent jobs.

The expansion, which will take four years, will allow London Gateway to accommodate six of the world’s largest container ships.

DP World has vastly increased its rail capacity at the port over the past two years, initially installing two gantry cranes at the site which increased capacity by over 50%. A second rail terminal will increase it even further.

GB Railfreight signed a contract last year to continue operating the current terminal and will also run the second terminal once it is built.

Julie Garn, Intermodal Director – GB Railfreight said; “We applaud DP World's investment and commitment to build a second rail terminal at London Gateway. As they develop and build the second terminal, we will be expanding our role and services to and from the Port beginning in May.

“As capacity at London Gateway increases, it is imperative that rail freight operators are able to find additional paths from the Port. A robust network and diversionary options are then required to enable us to transport the goods across the country that drive the UK economy.”

The investment does not include infilling the section of line between Stanford-le-Hope and the port, which would allow for full freight services to run on electrified lines. Studies by both the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and Rail Partners suggested that electrification infill schemes, including the line to London Gateway, could drastically increase the current 10% of freight trains electrically hauled across the UK.

However, the government has not committed to completing electrification at the port or at Felixstowe. The Department for Transport did not confirm to RAIL if it had plans to fund the project.

​​