DP WORLD has announced an investment of 40 million British pounds in Southampton, Britain’s second largest container terminal. It wants to take it up to the next level as a premier international freight and logistics hub. DP World Southampton is part of DP World, and is one of its two UK deep water ports with rail freight terminals that were awarded Freeport status by the Government last month.

“DP World Southampton is the most productive port in Britain, turns container trucks around faster than any of its competitors and at 30 per cent also has the highest proportion of its containers moved by rail”, said Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive of DP World in the UK.

“At DP World we think ahead to create smarter trade solutions and this 40 million GBP programme of investment will ensure that our Southampton terminal continues to grow as a major freight and logistics hub. Our aim is to partner in our customers’ business success and we are already seeing a surge of interest from companies which want to take advantage of the customs zone and tax benefits resulting from Southampton and London Gateway becoming Freeports.”

Investments planned

The new infrastructure investment is designed to provide customers with speed, security, reliability and flexibility. 10 million GBP will be invested in a new class of eleven hybrid straddle carriers. These vehicles, which lift containers moved by the quay cranes and then service onward forms of transport via road and rail, consume up to 40 per cent less fuel than diesel-electric powered machines and will be among the most sustainable in the world.

Another 3 million GBP will be spent on the redevelopment of the yard for the storage and delivery of customers’ empty containers. Once completed this will increase capacity by 25 per cent and create more flexibility for port users. Moreover, 1.5 million GBP is reserved for the extension of a quay crane rail by 120 metres to ensure that the world’s biggest cranes can service all berths at the terminal.

Health inspection facilities

A new Border Control Post (BCP) is also in the planning. This includes UK Border Force and port health inspection facilities, to enable multiple government agencies to expedite checks on cargo entering the country.

Before Easter, DP World Southampton and the Associated British Ports already completed the
dredging and widening of the berths to ensure that the port will be able to continue to accommodate the world’s biggest ships.