A new container port is due to open later this year on the north bank of the River Thames. London Gateway is said to be the UK’s first deep water shipping port, and one of Europe’s largest centres for logistics.
As container ships grow in size, London Gateway will be an ideal choice when using these larger container liners for importing and exporting from the UK.
The port will increase the UK’s container handling capacities, and is aiming to be one of the most efficient ports in the UK. Alternative ports in the UK currently include Felixstowe, Southampton, Hull and Liverpool. The new container port will add 3.5 million TEU (equivalent 20 foot containers) to the UK’s container handling capacity.
Record-breaking cranes were recently delivered to the London Port. Five in total, these cranes will be able to handle the world’s largest container vessels. The cranes are said to be taller than the London Eye, and can reach further than is currently required when loading and unloading the largest of the container vessels currently sailing. This will ensure the port’s future, as container ships are becoming larger all the time. The cranes will be able to reach across 25 containers on the container ships, and will lift up to 80 tons at a time.
Container ships have currently grown to hold up to 18,000 TEU (compared with just 6,000 TEU, 50 years ago).
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