Cargotec to partner in London Gateway project

Cargotec and DP World have signed a contract making Cargotec a partner in supplying products and technology to the container port London Gateway, a milestone project which has generated vast interest inside the industry.

The challenge

London Gateway is set to become the premier logistics centre in the United Kingdom and Europe’s largest logistics park. It will also be Britain’s most environmentally friendly major port, offering a more cost effective, greener way of getting goods to UK consumers. The port is scheduled to open in late 2013 with an initial capacity of 1.6 million TEU (TEU is one standard 20-ft container).

The Dubai-headquartered DP World is the world’s third largest port operator. It has been planning the new port since early 2010 and expects to invest a further $1 billion in London Gateway over the next three years.

Once complete, the new port and park facility will save UK businesses millions of pounds a year in land transport costs. An estimated 65 million road freight miles every year will be saved as many goods will no longer need to be transported from deepsea ports to inland distribution centres. Instead, goods will be sent straight into the new London Gateway Logistics Park and then directly to shops and homes.

The solution

“London Gateway will provide the world class service that our customers have come to expect from DP World across the globe, using the most advanced equipment and technology. London Gateway’s location is unique, bringing the world’s largest ships directly to Europe’s largest logistics park and providing long-term value for our customers and UK business,” says Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive of DP World.

As a partner, Cargotec will be providing 28 Kalmar shuttle carriers and 40 Kalmar automatic stacking cranes with related technology to be used in the port. “We are proud to be chosen as the partner in the heart of this landmark project and we are committed to London Gateway’s success. With this cooperation, we are strengthening our position as a leader in port automation,” says Harald de Graaf, Cargotec’s Executive Vice President, EMEA.

"Since 1990, we have steadily developed our track record in the field of automation in automatic stacking crane systems and in horizontal transportation,” continues de Graaf. “We are determined to lead the way in this field."