DP World expands UK port capacity

DP World is expanding capacity at its UK container terminals with four new quay cranes, supporting investment at London Gateway and Southampton as trade volumes and vessel sizes continue to grow.

Two cranes, each weighing more than 2,000 tonnes and standing almost 150 metres tall, arrived fully assembled at London Gateway on 25 September after travelling from Shanghai.

They will serve the new all-electric Berth 5, part of the port’s £1 billion expansion due to become operational in 2027.

“Trade powers our growth and prosperity, so the UK needs world-class infrastructure capable of handling the demands of maritime trade,” said Kris Adams, DP World chief executive, UK Ports & Terminals.

The second pair of cranes is due to arrive at Southampton next week. Together with two cranes delivered in June, the equipment represents a £60 million investment in Southampton this year, bringing the terminal’s total to 16 cranes.

The new machines can perform consecutive tandem lifts of two 40-foot containers and handle the largest vessels currently operating, including ships carrying up to 24,000 teu.

At London Gateway, a further two cranes are scheduled to arrive for Berth 5 in the coming months. The expansion will eventually include two additional all-electric berths and a second rail terminal.

Robin Mortimer, chief executive of the Port of London Authority, said the arrival of the new cranes was a sign of growth at the Port of London.

“The arrival of two new electric cranes at London Gateway is another clear sign of growth within the Port of London,” he said, adding that the Berth 5 expansion would help unlock additional capacity for trade and investment.

The investment comes alongside a new DP World report showing London Gateway supports £799 million in UK GDP and 10,500 jobs across the wider economy. Combined, DP World’s London Gateway and Southampton operations now handle 46% of UK containerised trade.

In 2025, the two terminals handled more than 5 million teu, with London Gateway alone recording a 3 million teu throughput, 50% higher than the previous year.