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London Gateway says work on quay wall is for development, not repairs

LONDON Gateway, DP World's deep-sea container port on the River Thames, is playing down a Port London Authority (PLA) circular saying remedial work is being carried out to the quay wall, and claimed the work is developing the terminal.

"These works are part of the existing works programme and development of London Gateway and there never has been nor will there be any impact to shipping and operations at London Gateway," said a terminal spokesman.

The recently opened terminal issued the statement to clarify the reason for the work after the Port London Authority issued a circular stating that "remedial work" will be carried out to the 1.2 kilometre quay wall over the next 20 months, reported Lloyd's List.

The work will be carried out along berths one, two and three using six land-based access platforms installed over the berth face and from mobile under-bridge units, it said. Divers will also work underwater.

Berth one handled its first scheduled services in November while berths two and three are due to become operational this year, giving the terminal an annual container handling capacity of 2.6 million TEU.

The PLA said vessel traffic services will inform customers when the teams are working underwater. "All vessels are to reduce speed and proceed with caution when passing the London Gateway port berths during these times."

Future plans include the option to develop an additional three deepwater berths to raise annual capacity to 3.5 million TEU.

The port receives the Southern Africa Europe Container Service, operated by Maersk Line, Safmarine, MOL and Deutsche Afrika, and three joint Hamburg Sud-Hapag-Lloyd services.