OVER 1,000 new jobs are set to be created as construction of the DP World London Gateway port down in Stanford-le-Hope looks set to open in the autumn of 2013.
DP World says the Thames Estuary development has already created 600 jobs and it plans to increase that number by a further 1,000 over the coming months. Seven hundred of the new posts will be in construction, while the other 300 are described as port jobs.
The firm estimates that eventually, the port and a neighbouring logistics centre will help create 32,000 jobs, adding £3.2bn to the UK economy each year.
DP World’s chief executive, Mohammed Sharaf, said: “London Gateway is a giant leap forward for the UK’s supply chains and will benefit our customers tremendously through more efficient transportation of goods.”
Graham Farrant, chief executive Thurrock Council has also welcomed the news. He said: “This announcement should give the people of Thurrock and the surrounding districts the confidence that these new jobs are on their way.
We have to work with schools and colleges to ensure local people have the skills needed to secure these jobs and to provide a local workforce for the new port and logistics park.
“When we come to look back at the creation of this fantastic modern port, we will want to know that we have secured the best future for local residents that we can – both in terms of employment, but also in improved facilities and infrastructure to support his massive new opportunity.”
DP World says the site will initially be able to handle 1.6 million standard shipping containers a year. Over time, the Dubai-headquartered group plans to raise capacity to 3.5m containers.
Construction work began in January 2010 on the site of the former Shell oil refinery.
When complete, it will be the largest deep-sea port in the UK.
The firm estimates that eventually, the port and a neighbouring logistics centre will help create 32,000 jobs, adding £3.2bn to the UK economy each year.
The company says the project is also good for the environment. It says that by allowing the world’s largest cargo ships to unload their goods next to a major distribution centre, 65 million road freight miles can be saved every year.
DP World’s chief executive, Mohammed Sharaf, said: “London Gateway is a giant leap forward for the UK’s supply chains and will benefit our customers tremendously through more efficient transportation of goods.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable also welcomed the news, saying: “It will help Britain maintain its competitiveness, drive productivity, and crucially strengthen our links with Asia and beyond.”
