The UK's fastest-growing port, the Port of Tilbury, has received official development consent from the Secretary of State for Transport to construct Tilbury2, a new multimillion-pound port terminal that will be constructed next to the existing 3.7 km² site in Thurrock on the outskirts of London.
The construction is scheduled to commence in a matter of weeks and the privately funded port facility, owned by Forth Ports Group, will be built on a site covering over 0.6 km² that was formerly the site where Tilbury Power Station stood. The Tilbury2 site is scheduled to begin operations in Spring 2020 and will be the largest unaccompanied ferry port in the UK as well as the country's largest construction processing hub, with AEO-trusted status.
Aerial shot of existing Port of Tilbury
Aerial shot of existing Port of Tilbury
The rising demand for construction materials and aggregates from the UK's construction sector, car imports and exports, as well as an increase in commercial ferry traffic, carrying perishables like food and drink, consumer goods and steel between Britain and mainland Europe, mean that expansion at Tilbury is essential if the port is to cope.
The project has an estimated cost of over £200 million and will include a new rail and road connection and a deep water jetty and pontoon.
Tilbury2 will comprise of:
- A roll on/roll off ferry terminal for importing and exporting containers and trailers to northern Europe, in partnership with P&O Ferries
- A facility for importing, processing, manufacturing and distributing construction materials
- A strategic rail terminal which can accommodate the longest freight trains of 775 m
- Storage areas for a variety of goods, including exported and imported cars.
Tilbury2 port expansion
Tilbury2 will be constructed adjacent to the existing Port of Tilbury facility.
Tilbury2 is a central pillar of the Port of Tilbury's £1 billion investment programme from 2012-2020. The port has doubled the size of its business in the last decade and is projected to double the cargo volume across the quay, from 16 million to 32 million tonnes, over the next 10-15 years, as well as increasing direct employment from 3,500 to 12,000.
Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports Group, said: “This is great news for the UK at a time when the country needs its ports more than ever before. Tilbury2 will deliver much-needed port capacity to support businesses importing and exporting to and from Europe and the rest of the world. The terminal will be fit-for-purpose for the UK’s departure from the European Union, utilising the latest technology and streamlined border processes, in support of continued market demand created by business growth.
“By 2020, £1 billion will have been invested in Tilbury’s expansion plans, including Tilbury2 and the 55-acre London Development Park, with the full backing of our shareholders.”
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