UK multimodal logistics operator Maritime Transport has jumped into the expanded container facility at London Gateway. Only last month, DP World, the operator of London Gateway, announced expansion plans. These include a new berth and expanded logistics handling capacity at the port.
Ambitious UK operator Maritime Transport has wasted no time moving in on London Gateway facilities. The port, on the north bank of the Thames, has recently benefited from the switch of some trade routes. Owners DP World have welcomed new sailings as part of the Gemini Cooperation. That shipping agreement has seen a global shake-up of routes and has seen large container volumes switch to the port.
Growing intermodal network
Maritime Transport, recently acquired by the Swiss-headquartered Medlog, has been growing its already extensive logistic base in the UK. The company is a well known presence on the UK roads and rails and also operates several multimodal logistics hubs, most notably East Midlands Gateway, where it runs road, rail, and warehousing facilities, all adjacent to East Midlands Airport and situated within a designated Freeport.
Now, the company has taken up apron space at the London Gateway estate, to better handle return consignments of boxes. “There’s no slowing down here at Maritime,” said an enthusiastic post from the company. “We’re excited to welcome the latest addition to our growing intermodal network. A strategically located storage facility for empty containers at DP World London Gateway,”
Collateral Gemini Cooperation benefits
Maritime already operates three other dedicated container storage depots. London Gateway will join the nearly neighbouring sites at Felixstowe and Ipswich, and the site at Liverpool, which was recently commissioned. “[This] complements our wider terminal infrastructure including nine rail-connected terminals with storage capacity,” said the company.
The move comes on the heels of DP World’s announcement of a major expansion at London Gateway, which will provide additional container ship berths for the port. That expansion has become necessary since the shipping lines Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk announced that their “Gemini Cooperation” would mean sailings switch to London Gateway from previous calls at Felixstowe.
Volumes rise at London Gateway
Maritime, which still has a significant presence at Felixstowe, is unlikely to abandon the Suffolk port. Felixstowe remains Britain’s busiest intermodal rail terminal, despite some capacity constraints on approach routes – which has been a long-standing issue in British rail freight development circles.
“Container volumes [are] expected to increase at DP World London Gateway,” observed Maritime. “The new facility puts us in an even stronger position to support customers with the space, service, and responsiveness they need at one of the UK’s most integrated logistics hubs.” Maritime operates nine other intermodal terminals around England and Scotland, including a facility at neighbouring Tilbury Docks. Tilbury and London Gateway both fall within the footprint of the designated Thames Freeport.