Dubai to Invest $570 Million to Expand DP World’s London Gateway

Dubai will invest $570 million to expand the DP World-operated London Gateway, the UK’s largest port upon completion, H H Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE said on Tuesday.

Construction work on the London Gateway expansion project, which will handle around 55% of the UK’s South East cargo, kicked off nearly two years ago. DP World is set to open $445.01 million fourth berth, which is slated to boost port handling capacity to 3.4 million containers, up from 2.4 million containers, by increasing the total berth length to 1.68 km, at the London Gateway later this month.

H H Sheikh Maktoum said that Dubai’s goal to enhance the UK trade and logistics cooperation through the gateway. The completion of the logistics park is set to double DP World’s UK workforce from 6,000 across DP World’s 34 locations throughout the UK to 12,000.

DP World also plans to develop berths five, six, and seven at London Gateway but no details were given on the investment or timeline. The move looks to meet the additional capacity needs expected in the UK markets starting 2027.

H H Sheikh Maktoum bin accompanied by Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, visited DP World’s Port and Logistics Park at London Gateway, in the Thames Estuary.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Rashid Abdulla, CEO and Managing Director of DP World in Europe, greeted him and demonstrated the capabilities of London Gateway’s newly completed Berth 4.

Landmark Development

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum said that The London Gateway logistics park, operated by DP World, is a landmark development that is adding significant new capacity to the UK’s logistics infrastructure. Upon completion, London Gateway will be the largest port in the UK, with the capacity to connect with 130 ports worldwide.

London Gateway will become the UK’s largest sea port once Berth 4 opens, accounting for 55% of the UK’s cargo coming through the South East. With a modern rail connection, the port and logistics park is ideally located just 28 miles from the centre of London.

H H Sheikh Maktoum was briefed about DP World’s global operations and the company’s transformation in the last eight years from a global port operator to an end-to end global logistics company.

Rashid Abdulla briefed Sheikh Maktoum about DP World’s operations in Europe, spanning some 30 countries, and how the port’s operations are now linked to logistics centres. He specifically highlighted DP World’s role in the UK’s logistical network, emphasising the critical nature of Southampton and London Gateway to the UK economy.

DP World’s investment is a catalyst for the regeneration of an area the UK government has prioritised for development.