Mega port removes 9,000 lorries from UK roads

A new mega port in London, to be opened at the end of the year, has mitigated the impact of 9,000 lorry journeys by using a cargo ship to deliver 90,000 tonnes of construction aggregate.


A single delivery by the bulk cargo ship Yeoman Bridge has delivered the material for the construction of the port’s gate complex.

London Gateway will be the UK’s first 21st Century major deep-sea container port and Europe’s largest logistics park, situated on the north bank of the River Thames.

ItsHarbour Master Andrew Bowen said: “This mega delivery was going to be landed at a smaller port in the South East and then transported to us by road, but we insisted the ship make arrangements to unload its cargo here at London Gateway.”

“We were aware that by ensuring the ship docked at London Gateway we would remove 9,000 lorry trips, which is a massive saving in terms of emissions, fuel consumption and impact on our national road infrastructure.”

“In addition to taking shipments by sea and rail, we are recycling and reusing materials and have our own concrete batching on site, to reduce the number of lorries we have coming and going from site.”

Independent shipping consultancy Drewry has estimated London Gateway will reduce round-trip transport costs by £59 per container to the Midlands and the North-West, and £189 per container for London and the South-East.

In addition to being closer to major markets, London Gateway will have Europe’s largest logistics park, allowing shippers to cut the cost associated with taking goods to distant distribution centres. It is estimated that London Gateway, which will cost £1.5bn, will save 65 million road miles within the UK transport infrastructure.

Conor McGlone

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