Logistics giant says new cranes will help allow significantly more freight to be carried to and from the port by rail
DP World has invested in two new Rail-Mounted Gantry (RMG) cranes at its London Gateway rail terminal.
The cranes, which are aimed at boosting railway capacity at the port by 50 per cent, will go into operation in mid-August.
According to the port operator, this will help meet fast-growing customer demand for increased rail connections and more sustainable supply chain solutions.
The £12m RMG cranes weigh approximately 480 tonnes, with a lifting capacity of 41 tonnes. They will increase box handling capacity at the terminal by 75 per cent, enabling more freight to be carried to and from the terminal by rail.
Additionally, the investment will help to reduce congestion on local roads, removing carbon emissions from the supply chain.
The move is part of DP World’s wider commitment to increase the movement of cargo by rail, which has been supported by the London Gateway-Southampton direct rail service.
It has also been supported by the Southampton Modal Shift Programme trial, which has increased the share of rail freight at the hub to 30 per cent since September 2023.
The arrival of the RMG cranes precedes the launch of London Gateway’s £350m new fourth berth later this year, which will be the first all-electric berth at a port anywhere in the world.
Vice president of port operations at DP World London Gateway, Ahsan Agha, said: “Customers choose us for our assets, our capabilities, and the quality of our customer service.
“The expansion of capacity at the London Gateway rail terminal is testament to that service, with the increase in rail journeys between London Gateway and our UK rail network connections ensuring that our customers stay competitive while reducing their carbon emissions in order to meet their key sustainability targets.
“After the disruption in supply routes in recent years, shipping lines and cargo owners are constantly looking for new capacity and sustainable solutions. We are delighted that the increased rail capacity at London Gateway will help us deliver on both fronts.”
